Sand for Discus tank

[Keetchy]

Hi all. Im new to this site. Im looking forward to finding out some tips and advice on keeping my discus.
My first question is to do with the sand i put in my tank. I used Eco complete black substrate before and was happy with that but this time i want to use white sand. I am painting the back of the tank black and thought white sand would look really nice in it.

Can anyone tell us which would be the best sand to get for the discus and where the best place to get it is. Is Marine sand ok to use in a discus tank?

Thanks in advance.

Sweet.

[Klaus Steinhaus]

I prefer white silica sand for my tanks.

[Keetchy]

Yeah thats the colour im after.
Where can i get that from dude?

[Klaus Steinhaus]

DUDE??????????

You can get it at construction outlets.

[Gordon C. Snelling]

I use 20 grit silica sand.

[Lisachromis]

I use Lake Erie sand actually (REALLY well washed). It's a pale brown colour with a few darker bits in it. The fish love it!

[Keetchy]

Cheers for the replies guys.
Someone told us that i shouldn't use silica sand if i've got a planted tank. I want to stick plants in there too so does this mean i cant use silica sand?

[Keetchy]

DUDE??????????

You can get it at construction outlets.

So i can walk into a builders merchant and get some silica sand from there? And it will be ok for the fish?

[DENCIO]

[quote="Klaus Steinhaus"]I prefer white silica sand for my tanks.

are you using silica white sand for marine?

[PsYcHoTiC_MaDmAn]

Cheers for the replies guys.
Someone told us that i shouldn't use silica sand if i've got a planted tank. I want to stick plants in there too so does this mean i cant use silica sand?

its nonsense, the problem is that its an un-fertilised substrate, so the plants dont really benefit from it (but the same is true of gravel as well)

one of my most successful planted tanks has 1" of potting soil and 1" of silica sand, and the tank is completely full of plants (actually need to weed it out something chronic )

[Ken Grimmett]

I us "play sand" , its cheap but you do need to rinse it.

[Foai]

You can use gravel for planted part and fine sand for open areas. Also you can use pots for plants and cover them with some coconut,wood,etc...

[Esben]

I had sand at my discus aquarium :

http://www.wildcichlids.com/Forum/engli ... 88#post188

[faerrleah]

I have kept my Discus in a tank with silica sand substrate for over 2 years and they are very fine.