Yeah, but you need to wash it thoroughly. I would recommend getting pool filter sand.
mercurialmilk on
Yes but rinse it many many times
doc1442 on
Just buy aquarium sand ffs
Strict-Seesaw-8954 on
Once you start rinsing this stuff you’ll quickly wish you got pfs or actual aquarium sand. That stuff might be better suited to a garden if you want to use it up…or donate it to a daycare ..
snapplesNcigarettes on
I used play sand for years in my river tank. Make sure you stir the sand occasionally so no gas gets stuck under it, it can harm your fish. Also wash it thoroughly, it’s pretty dusty when you first buy it
Nobody_Important on
It’s not necessarily ideal for plants because the particles are extremely small and it therefore compacts very densely, meaning roots have a hard time penetrating. People recommend blasting sand because it’s cheap but larger grit.
UnderwateredFish on
This sand is in my kid’s sandbox outside and 3 years later he still needs to change his clothes after he plays in it, it’s very dusty and creates dirt like water.
One-plankton- on
Playsand can also alter PH, I’d stick with pool filter sand, it’s also not as fine so better for plants
Obvious-Active-6256 on
Will second what other’s said here, it’s incredible how dirty ‘play sand’ is and that they even let toddlers dig in that stuff. I used it for some water jar gardens and had to soak it for a week before even starting to wash it. The water turned black for the first 4-5 washes. It was a different brand so your results may differ. I use beach sand in my tanks, it’s much easier to clean.
nachos3 on
It’s safe to use but you’ll spend all day rinsing it
Bernadet609_ on
I wouldn’t even bother with sand. Get some fluval stratum and call it a day
LAHurricane on
Yes, but pool filter sand is better.
It is cleaner which means less washing. But it is also slightly coarser, larger individual sand grains, which makes it less likely to get moved by fish or powerheads/return pumps, and offers a better substrate for plants to root in.
SparkyDogPants on
I don’t rinse. It eventually settles. People on here are being over dramatic
AngryCazador on
I used this exact play sand to cap over some soil in a planted 10 gallon for a couple years. It was cheap and looked like natural river sand. I didn’t encounter any issues relating to the sand, but you do have to rinse it as others have said.
Naysayers will tell you to purchase the (much more expensive) aquarium sand but hey, sand is sand. I added a pic of that tank. If you zoom in you’ll see bits of gravel and other substrate materials, so be aware that mix is not a 100% uniform sand.
It works fine in my 40. I rinsed it briefly outside in a tote and the hose for about 15 minutes and it wasn’t outrageously dusty. Ive used aquarium substrate that required more washing than this tbh. Use root tabs if youre planting live plants.
Excellent-Error-8697 on
Yes I use it in all three of my tanks. Takes awhile to rinse it but I kind of find it relaxing
RogueDragon343 on
Do not use this play sand. Holy crap bad idea in my experience. Even after washing (you lose half the bag) it’s so dusty you move anything and dust, or fish swims too fast dust. Filter or wavemaker happens to blow on it a bit, dust. It takes ages for it to settle down again.
I had a magnetic glass cleaner that got some dust in it or maybe the dust was already on the glass, regardless I ended up scratching my glass.
For the amount of time I spent having to redo everything, go with something better even if it costs more.
Same thing with any sand labeled for reptiles. Ends up sticky and coating everything in your tank, plant, filters you name it, absolute nuisance.
Cephiuss on
Didn’t they find asbestos in certain play sands?
fouldspasta on
Worked great for me. The money I saved was worth the extra time rinsing/waiting for it to settle.
19 Comments
Yeah, but you need to wash it thoroughly. I would recommend getting pool filter sand.
Yes but rinse it many many times
Just buy aquarium sand ffs
Once you start rinsing this stuff you’ll quickly wish you got pfs or actual aquarium sand. That stuff might be better suited to a garden if you want to use it up…or donate it to a daycare ..
I used play sand for years in my river tank. Make sure you stir the sand occasionally so no gas gets stuck under it, it can harm your fish. Also wash it thoroughly, it’s pretty dusty when you first buy it
It’s not necessarily ideal for plants because the particles are extremely small and it therefore compacts very densely, meaning roots have a hard time penetrating. People recommend blasting sand because it’s cheap but larger grit.
This sand is in my kid’s sandbox outside and 3 years later he still needs to change his clothes after he plays in it, it’s very dusty and creates dirt like water.
Playsand can also alter PH, I’d stick with pool filter sand, it’s also not as fine so better for plants
Will second what other’s said here, it’s incredible how dirty ‘play sand’ is and that they even let toddlers dig in that stuff. I used it for some water jar gardens and had to soak it for a week before even starting to wash it. The water turned black for the first 4-5 washes. It was a different brand so your results may differ. I use beach sand in my tanks, it’s much easier to clean.
It’s safe to use but you’ll spend all day rinsing it
I wouldn’t even bother with sand. Get some fluval stratum and call it a day
Yes, but pool filter sand is better.
It is cleaner which means less washing. But it is also slightly coarser, larger individual sand grains, which makes it less likely to get moved by fish or powerheads/return pumps, and offers a better substrate for plants to root in.
I don’t rinse. It eventually settles. People on here are being over dramatic
I used this exact play sand to cap over some soil in a planted 10 gallon for a couple years. It was cheap and looked like natural river sand. I didn’t encounter any issues relating to the sand, but you do have to rinse it as others have said.
Naysayers will tell you to purchase the (much more expensive) aquarium sand but hey, sand is sand. I added a pic of that tank. If you zoom in you’ll see bits of gravel and other substrate materials, so be aware that mix is not a 100% uniform sand.
https://preview.redd.it/hv8ep61t83ng1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fce03479d02a4b5e85c3eca9a014dca7548b2b91
It works fine in my 40. I rinsed it briefly outside in a tote and the hose for about 15 minutes and it wasn’t outrageously dusty. Ive used aquarium substrate that required more washing than this tbh. Use root tabs if youre planting live plants.
Yes I use it in all three of my tanks. Takes awhile to rinse it but I kind of find it relaxing
Do not use this play sand. Holy crap bad idea in my experience. Even after washing (you lose half the bag) it’s so dusty you move anything and dust, or fish swims too fast dust. Filter or wavemaker happens to blow on it a bit, dust. It takes ages for it to settle down again.
I had a magnetic glass cleaner that got some dust in it or maybe the dust was already on the glass, regardless I ended up scratching my glass.
For the amount of time I spent having to redo everything, go with something better even if it costs more.
Same thing with any sand labeled for reptiles. Ends up sticky and coating everything in your tank, plant, filters you name it, absolute nuisance.
Didn’t they find asbestos in certain play sands?
Worked great for me. The money I saved was worth the extra time rinsing/waiting for it to settle.