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Maybe some of the stuff on this page is suitable? https://www.mistralbonsai.com/tienda/fr/59-substrats-et-engrais

I was under the impression that with sand, gravel and stones etc that the small stuff always went to the bottom leaving the bigger stuff on top? Why is it then that all the small pebbles I’ve put in one of my tanks have all sunk into the silver sand?! 😕

I’ve not used one but I have used under tank heaters. I used one on a 50 gallon community tank in the 1980’s. I’m currently running a couple of Nano’s with them at the moment.

Anyone tried one of these with a silver sand substrate? I know you can regulate the flow but still wondering if it will suck up any sand with the dirt? https://fluvalaquatics.com/uk/product/gravel-vac-multi-substrate-cleaner-s-m/

Play sand is currently £2.50 for a 10kg bag at Tesco and £3.00 at Sainsbury’s. ;)

After a search I’ve now found half a bag of Unipac Aquarium silver sand in the shed together with another couple of litres in one of the garden bins. I have a total of around 6 litres which is more than enough to give me the 40mm depth I want. :)

I mentioned it as some supermarkets sell it so it may be easier to source. Pool sand on the other hand might be hard to get hold of at the moment but thanks all for the comments.

Not sure of the actual colour of it yet but is Play Sand ok in a tank? Thinking about using it for Corydoras if I can’t source anything else easily. Plants in the tank will be easy to grow stuff like Moss and Anubias.

Have any of you tried this to get a particular look? I realise that the particle sizes need to be very similar or over time the larger stuff will end up on the top.

Zozo, what will they fill the hole with? Over here they often just leave the hole, let it fill up with water and call it a “wetland wildlife site”. Fishermen then get charged for fishing there. ;)

Thanks Andrew, I’m off to a couple of my LFS to see what they’ve got. As you say you need to see it in person.

The sand I’m using at the moment is packaged and sold by Unipac as Aquarium Silver sand. I’ve got the Aquarium Silica sand in another tank but it seems a bit dark in comparison.

I have this in one of my aquariums at the moment and it looks great but it’s a bit too fine. Are there any other sands I can buy mail order with a similar colour but slightly larger grain size? Links would be good if any of you have them. TIA.

The example you show does look nice Andrew but I like to see some sand as well.

A friend of mine had Silver Sand in his 250L tank with good flow and never had any problems.

Nothing, just do it a little at a time when someone nosey isn’t looking! https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cornwall-beach-pebbles-steal-man-crackington-haven-bude-prosecution-a8502861.html

I stand to be corrected but I thought play sand was “softer” as in more rounded particles? Edit: a quick search found this quote. “Builders sand is not the same thing as play sand or sandbox sand, which are made of finer, rounder grains, similar to beach sand.”

You could stick your head in this thread and ask: https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/is-sand-sand.57971/#post-565823

Corys seem to do well with silver sand. It’s nice and fine and doesn’t seem to damage their barbels. I did read a while ago that “desert” sand was no good for building work because the grains are rounded rather than sharp. Makes you wonder what the various “Aquarium” sands are like up close...

Yes I thought of that but I do like the Aesthetics of the granular stuff.

ADA Amazonia Aqua Soil Has been suggested as ideal for growing Anubias emmersed in a terrarium. I’m just wondering what alternatives are out there. I think the coarse type Amazonia would look quite good and make planting easier so anything else with a similar grain size would be good. Just...

The nice thing about Lava Rock is it’s quite easy to chip out your own hollows into it for planting. I used a hammer and small chisel.

3L here for £8.06. https://www.miscota.co.uk/fish/ocean-free/p-138632?r=8887677540921&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIv6Pbltia4gIVDJ3tCh0gKgP0EAQYBSABEgIOL_D_BwE

Fish like Corydoras appreciate fine sand so bear that in mind.

Yes that’s true Dean, the Tesco stuff was “dirt” cheap! :lol:

Yes I had a look in Tesco the other week. I ended up getting some Tetra Active Substrate instead. Similar colour but larger granule size.

The Cat Litter really needs rinsing. The bog wood could take a long time before it stops colouring the water but carbon in the filter can help minimise the effect.

It may take a little while for the TDS to drop so don't be in a hurry to add shrimp.

I used a sieve, you won't get all the dust out but once in the tank it clears quickly enough, at least mine did.

I've got a very good sense of smell, which can be a real pain sometimes as I hate the smell of fish! Cooked, raw, makes no difference. Really puts me off MY food if someone on my table is eating it!

I bought the Tesco stuff just a couple of months ago and didn't notice any smell when I opened the bag or whilst washing it. Either I was lucky or they're not adding fragrance to it any more? :eh:

May also be worth mentioning that some of the substrates mentioned are used for their buffering abilities, but it's not permanent. Not sure how this may effect plants but folks are advised to replace substrate every 18 months or so if it's used in a shrimp tank for example. Tesco C/L does need a...

Can't help except to say don't discount some of the stuff like Tesco's finest, could save you a few quid as well. :lol:

TEST OVER. Unfortunately I've not had the time to take readings or keep an eye on things and I've inadvertently let some of the contents evaporate so it's pointless to continue with the samples. :( The other half will be pleased to get the Kitchen table back ... :lol:

Thanks Darrel, I'll have a read!

If Tesco's cat litter is fired (Mollar) clay then I wonder if some of the other clays abundant around the world could be used in a similar fashion? I'd expect the CE to vary somewhat but it would be handy as there are lots of different coloured clays around. Many are much lighter but there are...

Feel free to add your own pics to the list if you have anything different!

Ok, here's a few that I have. All pics taken at the same exposure with Flash. All samples wet/damp. Tesco C/L Manado Flora Base Brown Flora Base Brown (fine) Silver Sand Westland Horticultural Sand Unipac Gravel (unmarked pack) And some Hydroleca in case of interest!

I opened a bag of Horticultural sand that I bought some time ago and was quite surprised by it's colour and texture. This got me thinking that perhaps it would be a good idea to have a pictorial database of substrates commonly available so folks would have a better idea of what stuff actually...

Latest reading 448 785 95 260

Ok, I've started a new one with washed Tesco CL. I'll take a reading once it's settled a little. Todays readings: Manado 440 Tesco CL 781 Flora Base 99 Washed TCL 183

Both the Tesco and the Manado have shown a steady increase. Only the Flora Base has shown any stability out of the three. But, as titled this is just a simple test taking TDS readings of the samples in beakers. I have some washed Tesco CL in a sack in the garage I could start to test in the same...

It's the "eventually" bit I'm not too keen on ... :lol:

I'm getting a bit bored with this now but here's the latest reading ... :lol: 443 785 101

Yes, it's fired clay from Denmark.

Have you seen my simple substrate post: http://ukaps.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=21585

Not sure what it is, they call it aquatic soil. It certainly seems to be reducing the TDS somehow though! Pretty sure I'll be using it in the new Nano...

No, all samples were unwashed. I did start to wash some but I was losing a lot of it through the sieve. If I can find a finer one maybe I can retest the Tesco.

I read somewhere that some substrates increase TDS whilst other quite similar looking stuff actually reduces  it. Although there are probably very good reasons for this it didn't seem particularly logical to me. Why for example, would two fired clay products react so differently?  Well I don't...

I've got some, it looks like fired clay so should be inert. It's looks a little like Tesco's cat litter only smaller grain size and darker.

I would have thought it would be fine as long as it's thoroughly dry and kept in a sealed container. Black plastic bag in a cool place would be good.

I've got a bag of the Horticultural Sand now if anyone wants me to take a picture to see what it looks like.

If it makes a difference it might be worth noting the Tesco stuff seems to be smaller in size compared to the Akadama. Have a look on this site, I think I've seen some comparison pics somewhere. :eh:

Until someone who knows what they're talking about comes along ... :-) have a look at the Tesco cat litter thread on here. It's nice looking stuff and cheap to buy - only £2.95 for 10L. Seems a few folks are using it to good effect.

Anyone tried it? http://www.gardenhealth.com/products/co ... c-compost/

What about this stuff: http://www.gardenhealth.com/products/co ... ural-sand/ Any good?

I bought some of the Tesco stuff recently and if it was "perfumed" it must be pretty mild. It's also quite fine compared to some of the bonsai stuff I've seen which is nice. Given the product is made of clay I wasn't surprised it needed quite a bit of rinsing ... £2.95 is also a very good price...

Really? This stuff does not seem quite as sharp as the fine gravel I had in my old tank and the corries were ok as far as I remember. Anyone else had any problems with Corries on this stuff? From what I've read it does seem to be a pretty good substrate.

Just bought a bag of Tesco Cat Litter (Moler Clay) to try which seems pretty good!

I'd like to set up a tank for mainly Corydoras and what like to use a fairly fine reddish brown substrate for them if I can. Do any of you have some links to some likely materials you could post for me? Any other comments on my choice gratefully received!