Play Sand

[nickmcmechan]

Some questions on this

1. if I buy any play sand will it be suitable for aquatic life after washing?

2. what is the suitability for heavy root feeders?

3. will crypts be ok with it after adding root tabs?

 

[mr. luke]

1) Yes
2)Its ok in my experiences although an active substrate would fair the plants better.
3) its fine for crypts, i grow them in sand great.

 

[nickmcmechan]

thanks, maybe i should add laterite below the sand or something?

 

[aaronnorth]

If you decide to use playsand on it's own, it will mean you will have to dose the water column heavier, but i would definatley use a nutritous substrate as it means there is always a source of nutrients, just incase we miss a dose.

 

[san-ho-zay]

I'm using sand (J. Arthur Bowers lime free grit sand) as a substrate in one tank and it wouldn't be my first choice if I was starting again but it goes OK. I've got a mixture of coarse grit (again it's J. Arthur Bowers from a garden centre) and laterite underneath and I think that helps a lot in terms of nutrients and rooting.