on the bag it says it is ideal for pet areas
2007-08-26 06:42:23 · 8 answers · asked by Lois F 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
It's not ideal for saltwater for a few reasons.
Most of the substrates for marine tanks (even the ones called "sand") are actually a curshed coral or shell material made of aragonite (this is a calcium, or calcium-magnesium carbonate). It reacts with water to disslove slowly releasing the calcium and magnesium which fish and inverts use, and carbonate which buffers the pH of the water. Saltwater tanks should have a pH of aroun 8.2-8.4, and while the aragonite won't raise it this high on its own, it will help keep it around 7.8, so if your water source has a lower pH, it will help heep the organisms in your tank alive if the pH falls from where it should be. Sand is made of quartz (silicon dioxide) and is inert in water, so it won't provide these benefits.
Also, since the particle size is smaller, if the sand gets stirred up, the higher dendity of saltwater will allow the grains to stay suspended longer, and these can be picked up by your filter and enter the impeller and housing - if enough is pulled in, this could ruin your filter motor.
All the "ideal for pet areas" implies is that it doesn't contain any toxic materials that would poison your pets and it's not absorbant so any urine or spilled water would drain, rather than make your pet wet as long as the sand is deep enough.
2007-08-26 07:08:26 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I just read an article on this but unfortunately my toddler ran off with the magazine. If you are willing to be patient you can revitalize dried out ocean rocks and argonite sand. What makes live rock "live' is all the little organisms that live in it. So, to make your own live rock and sand you would just need to put it in the tank with some live rock and wait about 6-8 weeks for the organism to spread into the non-live rock from the live rock. Adding phytoplanktons helps, too. I have a lot of patience so am going to be using this method when I set up my 55 gallon.
2016-05-18 02:33:55 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No as the other 2 have already said because there are chemicals in play sand that will kill the fish. Pets as in dogs and cats not fish. Here is a great site to ask questions http://www.wetwebmedia.com
2007-08-26 06:58:40 · answer #3 · answered by joe p 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes, play sand is perfect. Be sure to thoroughly rinse it before adding it to your tank though, or you will have permanently cloudy water. Turn off your filter and remove all your fish, at this point, pour the sand in and distribute it as you like. Play sand is inert, so it will not affect your water parameters like coral sand would. Do not add your fish back in or turn the filter on until the sand has settled. To prevent the anaerobic bacteria from creating harmful gasses in your sand, you have to rake the sand every time you change the water. Email me if you have any questions.
Nosoop4u
2007-08-26 06:58:19 · answer #4 · answered by nosoop4u246 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I don't think it means for fish. You have to clean your substrate occasionally, because fish can and do poop. When I siphoned the bottom of my tank, the water would turn black. Yeuurgh!
If you siphon sand, it will get stirred up, and can clog your filter or your siphon. I recommend that you use gravel instead.
2007-08-26 10:52:46 · answer #5 · answered by morph_888 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I agree with Copperhead!
2007-08-26 07:38:12 · answer #6 · answered by Kyle S 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
unless u want dead fish, no
2007-08-26 06:53:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
do not think so.
reconsider this position.
2007-08-26 06:49:59 · answer #8 · answered by Michael M 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋