9 replies to this topic

[checker]

mate i would use lime sand its alot better than play sand it looks better also helps to keep the ph stable and when it gets stirred up it doesnt go everywhere like in the filters and the like. you would probably need only one bag at $30 but thats just my opinion .

mick

[SynoAngel]

Hi Craig,

Col brought some to the last auction, so with any luck he may have some he might be willing to sell you. I'd send him a pm about.

Otherwise do a ring around. I'd be suprised if the shops around your area didn't carry something like it.

Regards

Daniel

[checker]

craig i got mine from Aquotix

mick

[Andrew]

what costs are involved to do a 8x2?

[Jezza]

i use small shells as my substrate
get a 40? kg bag from city farmers for about $10
it is ment for chooks, but give it a good rinse and its perfect and very cheap

jeremy

[Cicolid]

I get my sand from a local limestone pit.
It has large and small pieces of coral and heaps of shells in it.
I sieve all mine through a 3mm sieve to remove all the shells etc because I find that when I vacuum the substrate the shells clog up the siphon and tubes.
For my multies etc I then sieve it through a piece of shadecloth to remove any shell pieces up to 3mm in size, and this works a treat.
Also the waste particles get right into the shells and gravel and makes it difficult to remove, This is ok for a planted tank, but not in a cichlid tank.

That's my opinion anyway.

Cheers
Col

[Krystal]

Lime sand is not availible to buy retail anymore as they have stopped producing it, they didnt have enough resources. If you can get hold of some then BUY AS MUCH AS YOU CAN because its great stuff.

I use play sand in my 4 ft malawi tank that i purchased from soils aint soils it was $4 for 20 kgs.

Pros:
-Cheap!!!!!
-Looks very natural
-Cichlids love to dig in it
-Food and waste falls on top layer, cant penetrate the sand

Cons:
-Very dirty, needs rinsing at least 6 times before hand
-shows up fish waste a lot more
-can wash out some fishes colour
-A little harder to clean, need to siphon over the top then every few months get rid of anerobic gas pockets
-need to raise filter intakes so the sand doesnt ruin impellors

But i love mine!!!!!!!! All comes down to personal choice really

[NicholasC]

i use small shells as my substrate
get a 40? kg bag from city farmers for about $10
it is ment for chooks, but give it a good rinse and its perfect and very cheap

Would that be shell grit i heard it is very good for a substitute for limestone? a good friend of mine use to grind it up and put it in his tanks with his cichlids although i only just realized about 2 years later why he did this.