Using play sand in a fish tank is a popular and affordable substrate option for aquarists. Play sand refers to sand that is sold for play and leisure purposes, often in large bags at hardware stores. It offers some benefits over specialty aquarium sands, such as:
- Cost – Play sand is very inexpensive compared to sand made specifically for aquarium use. A 50 pound bag often costs less than $5.
- Availability – Play sand can be found at most hardware and home improvement stores. Aquarium substrates may require a trip to a specialty aquarium store.
- Color options – Play sand comes in various natural tones like tan, white and beige. Some brands have colored sand as well.
However, there are also some downsides to using play sand:
- Particle size – Play sand grains are often larger and more irregular than aquarium sands. This can make it harder for beneficial bacteria to colonize.
- No nutrients – Specialty aquarium sands sometimes contain nutrients to help plant growth. Play sand provides no nutrients.
- Dust/debris – Play sand may contain limestone dust or other debris that should be washed before use.
With proper rinsing and preparation, play sand can be an inexpensive and versatile substrate for planted tanks, African cichlid setups, nano reef tanks and more.
Is Play Sand Safe for Aquarium Use?
Play sand is generally safe to use in an aquarium, but there are some steps you should take to ensure it won’t harm your fish:
- Rinse thoroughly – Play sand contains dust and fine particles that will cloud your water if not rinsed well before adding to the tank. Rinse several times until the water runs clear.
- Use caution with colored sand – Make sure colored play sand is aquarium-safe. Some colored sands leach dye into the water which can be harmful. Stick to natural tones like tan or white.
- Avoid calci-sand products – Some play sands contain crushed coral or aragonite and market themselves as calci-sand or reef sand. This can alter water chemistry in freshwater tanks.
- Test pH – After adding rinsed play sand, test your aquarium pH over several days. Play sand won’t dramatically alter pH but it’s worth monitoring.
- Don’t use with sensitive fish – Very fine-grained play sand may not be ideal for bottom-dwelling fish like cory catfish that are prone to abrasions from sharp grains.
As long as you follow the proper preparation and introduce it slowly to your aquarium, play sand offers a safe, inexpensive substrate option. The use of play sand will not harm most aquarium fish.
How to Rinse and Clean Play Sand for a Fish Tank
Rinsing play sand before adding it to an aquarium is crucial to clear it of dust, debris and fine particulates that will cloud your water. Here are the basic steps:
Supplies Needed
- Play sand
- Large buckets or bins (at least 2)
- Garden hose with spray nozzle
- Colander or mesh strainer
Rinsing Steps
- Fill one bucket about halfway with play sand. Take it outside.
- Using the hose and spray nozzle, gently spray water over the sand, stirring continuously with your hand.
- Allow the bucket to overflow, draining the dirty water. Be sure to run water through any accumulated sand at the bottom as well.
- Fill, rinse and repeat this process 4-5 times until the draining water runs clear.
- Transfer the rinsed sand to a second clean bucket to drain fully.
- Place a mesh colander over the second bucket and pour the drained sand into it. Rinse any residue left in the first bucket through the sand in the colander.
- Allow the sand to dry fully before adding to your aquarium.
Repeated rinsing and draining removes all dust, dirt and debris from play sand before use in your fish tank. Taking the time to properly clean the sand will prevent issues down the road.
How Much Play Sand Do You Need for a Fish Tank?
The amount of play sand needed depends on the size of your tank and the depth of the substrate bed. Some general guidelines:
- For a 1-2 inch sand bed in a 10 gallon tank, use 15-20 lbs of play sand.
- For a 1-2 inch sand bed in a 20 gallon tank, use 25-30 lbs.
- For a 1-2 inch sand bed in a 29 gallon tank, use 35-40 lbs.
- For a 1-2 inch sand bed in a 40 gallon breeder tank, use 50-55 lbs.
- For a 1-2 inch sand bed in a 55 gallon tank, use 60-65 lbs.
- For a 1-2 inch sand bed in a 75 gallon tank, use 90-95 lbs.
These amounts provide enough sand to cover the bottom with a shallow 1-2 inch layer. For deeper sand beds (4 inches+), additional sand will be required. Having extra sand on hand is helpful in case you need more or decide to slope the substrate.
Always calculate the exact dimensions of your tank rather than going by just the gallon amount to determine how much sand to buy. Test fit a small amount of rinsed sand in the empty tank first to judge the depth. An inexpensive bag of play sand goes a long way for most home aquariums.
How to Add Play Sand to an Aquarium
Adding rinsed play sand to your tank is an easy process:
Supplies Needed
- Pre-rinsed play sand
- Aquarium gravel or substrate (optional)
- Measuring cup
- Plastic container or cup for transfer
Steps to Add Sand
- Remove any existing gravel or substrate if present. Keep some to seed the new sand.
- Rinse the tank and equipment before adding new substrate.
- Spread a 1″ layer of aquarium gravel or substrate first if using. This prevents sand from compacting.
- Add your rinsed play sand slowly by the cupful or in small amounts. Pour it gently to prevent disturbing fish and minimize clouding.
- Shape sand into your desired contour – flat, sloped, mounded, etc.
- Allow water to settle before turning filters back on.
- Re-test water parameters over several days and do partial water changes as needed to clear any lingering dust.
Take your time when adding the sand rather than dumping it all in at once. Introduce fish back to the tank slowly as well after making sure there are no issues with the new sand substrate.
Best Fish for Sand Substrate Aquariums
Certain fish species are well-suited for setups with a play sand substrate:
- African cichlids – Sand allows natural digging and shifting behavior. Keeps pH higher.
- Bottom dwellers – Loaches, catfish and other bottom fish sift smoothly through sand. Provides cushioning.
- Bichirs – Smooth, rounded sand grains won’t damage bichirs as they burrow at night.
- Rainbowfish – Natural look mimics their habitat. Gentle on their fins and barbels.
- Gar and rays – Allows for natural bottom-feeding. No risk of abrasion or injury.
- Goldfish/koi – Digging in sand satisfied natural substrate sifting behavior.
- Sydontis catfish – Sand allows catfish to rest on the bottom and aids digging for food.
- Freshwater stingrays – Soft sand helps replicate natural habitat and foraging conditions.
Avoid fish like cory catfish that are prone to abrasions from sharp substrate. Very fine sand grains may irritate their underside.
| Fish Type | Compatibility with Sand |
|---|---|
| African Cichlids | Excellent |
| Bottom Dwellers | Excellent |
| Bichirs | Excellent |
| Rainbowfish | Excellent |
| Gar | Excellent |
| Rays | Excellent |
| Goldfish/Koi | Good |
| Synodontis Catfish | Good |
| Freshwater Stingrays | Good |
| Cory Catfish | Poor |
In general, play sand makes an ideal substrate for fish that are bottom-dwellers or that exhibit natural digging behaviors in the wild.
Plants Compatible with a Play Sand Substrate
While play sand itself contains no nutrients, many aquarium plants will still thrive when planted in sand:
- Anubias & Java Fern – Attach these hardy, low-light plants to decor instead of planting in the substrate. They draw nutrients from the water.
- Moss – Sand makes a great carpet for java moss tied to decorations. The tiny grains won’t suffocate the moss.
- Floating Plants – Floaters like duckweed or water lettuce do well in a sand substrate tank as their roots access nutrients from the water.
- Stem Plants – Fast-growing stem plants like ambulia, hygrophila and cabomba do well when planted in sand supplemented with root tabs or liquid fertilizer.
- Sword Plants & Cryptocorynes – Root feeders that benefit from added root tabs or laterite mixed into the sand bed prior to planting.
- Vallisneria – This hardy grass-like plant thrives in low-tech sand substrate tanks. Tolerates a wide range of conditions.
With the addition of liquid fertilizers or root tabs, most common aquarium plants adapt well and grow successfully in play sand substrate.
How to Clean Play Sand in an Established Aquarium
In an established tank, organic debris will accumulate in play sand over time. Follow these steps to clean sand without harming your tank’s cycle:
Supplies Needed
- Clean plastic container or cup
- Aquarium gravel cleaner
- Bucket for water changes
- Water conditioner
Cleaning Steps
- Use a gravel cleaner to vacuum the surface layer of sand, removing any debris. Discard the dirty water.
- Slowly scoop small amounts of deeper sand into a cup. Swirl to agitate and dislodge wastes.
- Pour clean sand back out over a dish or plastic tray to retain beneficial bacteria.
- Repeat process in sections until entire bed has been surface cleaned.
- Perform a 25% water change and use water conditioner to dechlorinate.
- Check parameters to ensure cycle is maintained.
Avoid deeply disturbing the lower sand layers to prevent bacteria loss. Frequent partial water changes and light surface cleaning keeps play sand fresh without crashing your cycle.
Conclusion
Play sand can be an inexpensive and effective substrate for freshwater aquariums when properly rinsed and prepared prior to use. Its soft texture prevents injury to most fish and opens up options for mimicking natural environments, especially for species that sift sand and dig.
While play sand itself does not contain nutrients, the addition of fertilizers makes it feasible to keep live aquarium plants as well. With regular maintenance, play sand can be used successfully inplanted tanks, African cichlid setups, community tanks and more.
Following the proper steps outlined for rinsing, adding and cleaning play sand will help ensure it does not adversely impact water quality or fish health when used as an aquarium substrate.
FAQs about Using Play Sand in a Fish Tank
Here are some frequently asked questions given below:
Is play sand safer than aquarium gravel for bottom dwellers?
Yes, smooth play sand grains are gentler on delicate fish like cory catfish than sharper gravel. Sand also cushions falls better. But very fine sand can cause abrasions – a medium or coarse play sand is ideal.
Does play sand alter water chemistry in tanks?
Play sand is inert and won’t directly affect water parameters like pH or hardness. But over time waste can accumulate and lower pH if not properly cleaned. Test pH routinely and do partial water changes to avoid issues.
Can you use play sand in a saltwater tank?
It’s generally not recommended. Play sand is not as tightly packed as substrates made for saltwater reefs. The coarseness also won’t allow beneficial denitrifying bacteria to colonize as effectively to help control nitrates.
Does play sand compact over time?
Improperly rinsed play sand may compact from remaining dust and fine particles. Adding a base layer of aquarium gravel helps prevent a compacted sand bed. Stirring the sand weekly also helps.
Is white play sand okay for aquariums?
Yes, white play sand works well. Rinse it thoroughly first to removedust that can appear as cloudiness. The lighter color shows fish colors nicely. Be sure any colored dyes are aquarium safe.