Thanks for that. I will grab myself some silica sand. Just so I'm clea is this normal pool sand? From what I understand silica sand is
know as pool filter Sand as well
I just had a look and found an unopened bag of Sydney river sand
in my shed. I will get silica sand although it is $25 for 20kg. I don't want to **** anyone off but will using river sand still be better than no sand rather than going and spending $25 on dilica when I have this unused bag. I will get some if it's worth it but just seeing as I already have Sydney river sand. Will this be ok? Or I should really go for the silica?
Thanks
Okay, this post is an example of why people are getting a bit frustrated.
Bigbird wrote in his previous thread about the difference between silica & river sand. Mainly that silica sand is chemically inert. The difficult part is determining exactly what the river sand will do to your water, which you'll only be able to tell by testing it. With the previous questions you've had about pH adjustments, it seems backwards to add something additional to your water that could change your pH, at least without knowing what it'll do.
There is nothing magical about sand. Many people like it better than using gravel as a substrate, but it is still just a substrate. You don't
need sand or any substrate for that matter. Its a personal choice wether or not you like the look of it. Probably just as many people use no substrate at all as its easier for them to keep thier tanks clean. You just gotta be aware of the dangers/benefits of either choice.