Re: Sand on the bottom..........

On Oct 8, 3:27 pm, "Jeffrey St. Clair, Ph.D." <info@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> Are you referring to play type sand?  I'd avoid it as it has clay and
rea=
lly
> hard to rinse out.  You could do just sand and then you just shake your
> python an inch from it and it will suck up the mulm.  I wouldn't mix the
=
two
> substrates as they will mix into a sand/gravel mess.  Sand is great
thoug=
h,
> because of it's density, nothing sinks in like with gravel, etc.
>
> "Reel McKoi" <dorundayREM...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
>
> news:fedup9$o8v$1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>
>
> > I'm about to set up the other 55g tank in the sunroom. Because it'll
be
> > heavily planted I was wondering about adding rough builders sand to
the
> > gravel.  The question is.... how do you vac the gravel without sucking
=
up
> > the sand?  Or is that not a problem?
> > --
>
> > RM....
> > ~~~~  }<((((*>  ~~~   }<{{{{(=F6>- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Builders sand is commonly used for masonary work and should not have
any kind of clay in it.  Of course what is called builders sand here
may not be what they call builders sand in other areas.  You can buy
the play sand from Lowes or Home Depot inthe bags and it is cleaned
and free of such junk, and very cheap. I use the sugar white  play
sand which is very fine and does great for plants.....I have seen the
same exact (suitable) sand sold as lawn leveling sand, builders sand,.
play sand, traction sand, masonary sand,paver leveling
sand...........all of which were identical......Just watch yu do not
get a calcium based sand such as old castle or southdown as it will
alter your ph. But if your gonna keep African cichlids then the
calcium based sand would be ideal.