Finding cheap sand

[skald89]

Hi,

I hope this is the correct place for my question.

I am looking to start a second Fresh water tank in my house. I would like sand as well as my substrate and I am wondering if I find cheaper sand. I purchased pool filter sand from ACE for $13+tax. I live in New york city (11366) and would like to know if anyone has found sand for cheaper. I am avoiding play sand to not deal with any problems it may cause in my tank.

I am happy wit the sand I purchases but would just like to save some more money. This is the sand I purchased.

 

[skene]

pool filter sand is silica based sand. not recommended for reef/saltwater applications.

Read here.

 

[dubs]

listen not to burst ur bubble but if 13+tax is too high for sand u might want think about putting that tank cuase its only more costly as time goes buy

 

[skald89]

listen not to burst ur bubble but if 13+tax is too high for sand u might want think about putting that tank cuase its only more costly as time goes buy

I know, thats why I am looking to save money. If I can save money on sand I can spend the money I save on other things for the tank and fish.

 

[skene]

If you can afford to skimp on items... there are other hobbies that are better suited. This not being one of them.

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

Is this for a FW "planted" aquarium or fish only? For a planted aquarium you'd be much better off with a substrate specifically suited for plants or you will have to start a dosing ferts & CO2.

I've known so many people that have gone w/ PFS and ended up switching to a proper planted substrate. If that is what you are looking for I have a ton of substrate (EcoComplete) that you are welcome to since I shut down all but 2 of my planted tanks.

Here are a couple of links to a simple FW planted tank substrate comparison:

Different substrates and pros/cons of each:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=153412

Substrate articles & FAQ:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=184631

Another huge favorite choice among planted enthusiasts is ADA Aqua Soil, however it is NOT cheap...it's $40+ for a 9L bag.

Hope this helps...

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

I am looking to start a second Fresh water tank in my house. [/URL]

This is why I'm assuming you're talking planted tanks btw...

 

[skald89]

This would be for a second african cichlid tank.

If you can afford to skimp on items... there are other hobbies that are better suited. This not being one of them.

I do not understand why there are people against trying to save money? Just because this is not a cheap hobby does not mean you can not attempt to save money. Why should I pay a higher price when I can find the same thing for cheaper somewhere else. I could have went to my LFS and bought 50lbs of sand for $30 instead of the pfs I bought for $13. My fish are happy and so am I. I shouldn't be in the hobby because I wanted to save the difference?

I can't afford to buy rocks for my tanks. I did what many other people have done, bought terracotta pots and split them in half to create caves. There are ways to save money and still be in the hobby.

 

[Dre]

The beach, $5 take as much as you can carry...