Can I use riversand instead of gravel??

Should I use normal river-sand or not?? My gravel needs to be replaced.
I do have a low tech aquarium and use a sump.
Any advice is welcome.

 

Normal river sand has ALOT of detritus in it. Will take you a looong time to clean it properly (trust me I know from 1st hand experience). It can also have pollutants which may contaminate your tank.

My advice: go to the reggies/toys r us near you and get kids sandpit sand. alot cleaner, pretty sterile and looks the business.

 

I do second the idea ...

 

Fantastic, thank you guys.

 

Pool Filter Sand also looks the business but is slightly more coarse and less prone to compacting. Also, I have always worried about very fine granules being disturbed and being sucked into my filters.

 

Definitely don't want compacting.

 

Pool filter sand, sounds good. Thank you Reedfish & DarylA

 

For th guys in PTA ... I visited a "stone" shop over the weekend called C&M Landscaping Supplies on Lynnwood road. Not to far past Wilgers Hospital. They have a stunning selection of stumps, tree trunks, crushed rock, river bed pebbles and more. Plenty of nice shapes and sizes. Really worth to go make a turn.

 

Thank you Roekste, I will definately go visit. Much appreciated

 

I personally prefer the grain size of play sand... my cory's also prefer it. Have not had an issue of packing. I have it in 4 tanks (3 planted).

 

I use River Sand. Our local River sand is pretty nice looking with various grain sizes from very fine to coarse. It takes a while to clean (however I always use sand that has been sitting for a few weeks, not fresh out of the river) but the end effect is nice. And I have no problems with plants rooting in it, and there seems to be a lot of nutrients in it too

 

I second F1refly, I would recommend riversand above anything you can buy in a shop. For the guys going for the natural-setup, it definitely helps give that effect. I will post a pic of my tank later. Sand is from the Limpopo river

 

If you are willing to come through to Melville in JHB, I can give you a lot! about a large cooler box full. It needs a clean again but i did clean it when adding it to the storage container. Its free
Ps, its silica

 

Hi Sub-lime, thank you for the offer. I would like to take you up on it. May I come collect?

 

Today or tomorrow. If ok.

 

Sure bud. Il get it ready this evening so best for me would be tomorrow?

 

Perfect, thank you. :top: Please pm me your adress and suitable time for tomorrow afternoon. Thank you

 

sorry PM, should have been "forward".