16 replies to this topic

[bigjohnnofish]

i'd prefer new sand as i dont want any unwanted pesky snails......

enough to cover 50cm x 50cm to a depth of 3cm minimum...

i have some catfish that wont hang on to their eggs in gravel... mouth brooder...

they come from the amazon and inhabit dark sandy areas...

cheers

[danotaylor]

hey bigjohnno age of aquariums sell tahitian moon sand...9kg bags from memory...nice & fine...good luck on your hunt. danny

[Buccal]

Knowing what I've been told of your experience, you probably already know, sandblasting places have dark purple garnet sand of different grades, it's very attractive and cheap and still natural looking.

[Melvin]

G'day.

Ilmenite blasting sand? Not sure whether it will be safe in an aquarium.

Can be sourced from a company in Henderson.
http://www.burwell.c...fault.asp?id=14

[lawdog]

From the MSDS

Appearance Odourless Black Sand Flashpoint (0ºC): Non Combustible
Granules Ranging in Sizes Flammability Limits (%): Not Relevant
95 UM - 300 UM Solubility in Water (g/L): Non-Soluble


Acute Swallowed: Non toxic, ingestion could cause irritation due to abrasion.
Eye: Mechanical irritant
Skin: Direct contact with material under pressure will abrade or damage skin.
Inhaled: May irritate if exposure is excessive. Prolonged exposure to high dust levels may have debilitating effect on the lungs.

So as a non sulable, non toxic material it should in theory be quite chemically fine. This is of course an abrasive that may cause skin damage to a fish rubbing against it.

[Buccal]

Has to be garnet origin, definitely safe

[Mr_docfish]

It is safe to use, but many dont like it - it is very heavy and fine, so particles of waste and crap roll around all over it - a bit unsightly for some, but for others works ok.... just keep it thin

[bigjohnnofish]

definitely needs to be non abrasive... catties get into it and dig with their bodies... these guys are pretty rare in oz and im not taking any chances.... need to successfully spawn and raise some young before they get too old to breed any more...

thanks for the replies gives me something to think about...

Edited by bigjohnnofish, 12 December 2011 - 12:49 AM.

[ice]

How about that black shrimp substrate johno?

[Melvin]

I was at Vebas last night. They have some black, very fine gravel. I think they say it's 2mm, it basically looks like coarse sand. $2.50 a kilo or $35 for a 20kg bag.

[Bickley]

Bunnings has black decorative sand not sure how safe it is I'm trying it out so far so good..

[bigjohnnofish]

i found a spot up here in the hills where theres truck loads of black sand... and ants and all sorts of bugs in it too!!! very dark grey anyway..... but i'll give it a miss... quite coarse... and it cops road water over it so maybe contaminated by oil/grease......

[Terry]

PM Cannington has 3 types of black sand/gravel ATM. Don't be put off buy the stuff in buckets,looks grey but goes black when its wet.
Can't recall the brand names on 2 of them but 1 is seachem. And PM is a LFS phone and ask to speak to Helen.

[BIG-PETE]

Bunnings has black decorative sand not sure how safe it is I'm trying it out so far so good..

i used that in 6x2 it dont stay black for long mine has faded bad looks almost white now

[Hypanheaven]

i have some eco complete they might like, and you could plant some plants in it?

Edited by swimfishswim, 20 December 2011 - 06:33 PM.

[bigjohnnofish]

i have some eco complete they might like, and you could plant some plants in it?

no plants they dig them out... they get some frog bit or water sprite in their tank...

[highlucks]

How about some of this.



I have around 40kg at my work(Kewdale). I used to use the same stuff in a tropheus tank with no ill effects to water quality or fish.

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