Hi

I'd like to change my tank substrate from gravel to sand but I don't want to change the pH of the tank.

Is here any type of sand that wont change my pH form 7 to 8 or 8.5?

Thanks everybody

Neki

If you don't want to change your pH, you should stay away form coral sand. Ordinary play sand should be fine. I believe the play sand sold in Smyths or B&Q is fine. Make sure you wash it well before adding to the tank.

I got my playsand in Woodies, just make sure it's the light coloured sand. I got a bag of dark sand before and it looked terrible. Just rip open the bag when nobody is looking and take a look. It should be about 5-6 euro a bag.

Give it a good rinse in a bucket until the water runs clear, a few handfuls at a time. Its painful to do this for a half hour but you will be happy with the end result. It gives a good effect.

This is playsand in my tank, just so you can see how light in colour it is.

We have aquarium sand, slightly heavier than playsand so only takes seconds to settle, Zig, (the Irish Takashi Amano), uses it in his spectacular plant displays!!! PM me for details!

Westland playsand. Can't beat it. Using it in all my tanks

Thank for yor answers

I got a bag of playsand from Woodies and I washed it twice but when I put some sand in a small bucket the water doesn't get crystal clear like the gravel even after 30 minutes.

Do you have any particular technique to change the gravel with sand?

Do I have to keep the fishs in the tank during the time I'm changing the gravel?

I the shop I saw some type of natural white gravel. Do you think it would be fine for the tank?

Once again thanks a lot

The stuff from Woodies is too fine. More like talcum powder. Westland sand is much coarser. You might want to ring a builder provider and ask if they do quarzsand

I have a bag of white gravel in the shed. It's produced in Cork. I'll have a look tomorrow and post their phone number. I bought it directly from the producer and the 25kg bags was about 10€