Can I Use 2 Filters On My Aqarium Tank

Pool filter sand

Pool filter sand is non the first thing that y'all may call up about when setting up an aquarium. There's a off-white number of things y'all'll need to buy to gear up-up your starting time aquarium, and one surprisingly pricey component are the gravels and sands made peculiarly for the lesser of a fish tank. Are in that location safe alternatives to these specialty products?

Sandy-bottomed tanks are a very pop trend recently, and since aquatic sands typically cost a few dollars more per pound than gravel, many budget-minded folks accept asked me if they tin can use pool filter sand in their tanks instead.

This tin can be a viable option, so let's take a wait at the benefits and disadvantages of using pool sand in the bottom of your aquarium.

Role of Substrate in Aquariums

Before we delve into the pros and cons of using pool filter sand, let's take a second to talk virtually the part of substrate and the part information technology plays in your aquarium's wellness.

While it'due south plain a key component in your tank'southward appearance, your choice of substrate also has a straight impact on the water chemical science, potential plant growth and even the wellbeing of the animals in your tank:

Substrates back up the growth of the "good" aquatic bacterial colonies that help regulate your tank'due south Nitrogen Bike and pause toxic ammonia and nitrites into safer (but not condom) nitrates
Your substrate too provides anchorage for alive plants and supports root growth and their uptake of vital nutrients and minerals
Bottom dwellers oft enjoy digging and hiding in it, so information technology'south important that your substrate is safety for these fragile fish and invertebrates if y'all're planning on keeping them

Challenges of Using Sand Substrates in Aquariums

Sand can be a bit trickier to manage as a substrate than using aquarium gravels for a few reasons. Gravel has long been considered the platonic for most freshwater tanks, and specially planted aquariums, because it doesn't compact down every bit much every bit sand, which has a few implications for your tank:

It takes more sand (per pound) than gravel to fill your tank to the desired depth, which may increase the costs of starting upward your tank unless yous opt for a less-expensive puddle filter sand
Gravel allows more water motion through the substrate than sand, since the particles are larger
- Sandy tanks oftentimes have issues with hypoxic dead zones, which can lead to algae blooms and eventually expressionless plants and animals
- Gravel usually provides ameliorate back up for alive plants, since the h2o flowing through the substrate delivers nutrients and carries abroad toxins that could stunt their growth

Unlike gravel, fine sand particles may be easily sucked up by your aquarium filter's intake tube or when vacuuming your gravel during routine maintenance
- You might invest in the all-time filter for a x gallon tank, only to discover a few weeks afterward that sand has infiltrated the impeller and acquired damage to the motor
- If yous opt for a sandy substrate, you'll need to protect your filtration system with a pre-filter sponge tip and use a gravel vacuum with a effectively screen and so you don't lose too much substrate during h2o changes

Benefits of Sand every bit Aquarium Substrate

While sand can have its challenges as a substrate, it as well provides a few benefits that make information technology the all-time choice for some aquariums. Freshwater invertebrates like Cherry and Ghost shrimp prefer fine substrates similar sand, and lesser-feeding fish similar Cory Cats and loaches may be injured by excavation through harsh aquarium gravels.

A layer of sand may likewise assist proceed your tank tidier, because debris is less likely to sink through the fine particles. They'll collect on top of the sand instead. It'll be easier for your filtration organisation to grab the debris and remove them before they begin to decay.

Making Sand Substrates Piece of work For Your Tank

Information technology's not hard to manage a sandy-bottomed tank once you know the challenges you'll confront; it's far more problematic to discover these issues in an established tank! Every bit I mentioned above, simply using a pre-filter sponge tip tin prevent the sand from being ingested into your filter.

It's harder to increment the water period through a fine sand substrate, but there are nonetheless a few things you can practise to prevent oxygen depletion in a tank with sand and help live plants thrive despite the sand'southward natural compaction and lack of nutrients.

I often hibernate a layer of loftier-quality plant gravel underneath an upper layer of sand, which increases water circulation through the root zone and provides the nutrients and minerals live plants demand to thrive. Placing a subconscious layer of gravel nether sand may also help prevent dead zones in your substrate, especially if y'all also employ an air stone to increase the oxygen in your water and amend the apportionment in the tank.

Caribsea Super Naturals Aquarium Sand, xx-Pound, Crystal River

Create a supernatural experience by re-creating the natural earth in your dwelling house
Grain size reduces built upwardly detritus
No paints or dyes used
ph neutral ; safe for all aquarium systems
Fabricated in the USA

Product Dimensions :12 x 8 ten 10 inches; 10 Pounds

This sand volition make the water cloudy at get-go. Many people rinse it a few times before adding information technology to their tank. All-time used with a thin layer to keep its colour.

Pool Filter Sand vs Aquarium Sands

There's a variety of specialty and generic sand products available online and in stores, and each type of production has its ups and downsides when used as an aquarium substrate. Let's briefly compare pool filter sand to these other products.

Pool Filter Sand

Pool sand is used in large swimming pools and spa filters to screen out dirt, hair/fur, oils and other droppings that could contaminate the water. There'south a range of products for swimming pool filters, and not all types of pool sand are safe to use in an aquarium. Some products incorporate chlorine or other additives that are beneficial to pond pools but could poisonous substance your tank and kill your fish and plants.

If you lot opt for using an inexpensive puddle sand as a substrate in your tank, expect for products labeled as quartz or silica-based sands with no boosted additives.

Yous may observe it's cheaper to purchase directly from your local pool supply store, as they often sell basic pool sand for just a few dollars a pound and you won't take to pay extra for aircraft the heavy packet. Plus, if you lot tell them you're using information technology in an aquarium they tin confirm the products are prophylactic, too!

Inert pool sands are basically identical to the more than-expensive patently aquatic sands and those used in terrariums and reptile habitats, and accept the aforementioned benefits and disadvantages in your tank
Pool filter sand comes in a range of sizes, just the ideal size for an aquarium is the #20 grade, which is coarse enough to avoid clumping merely still provides a fine texture and appearance in your tank
These sands are usually white or a shade of beige, so it'south easy to coordinate the color with your fish and decor
Pool sand is an ideal selection for many tanks with bottom feeding fish, shrimp, and snails, and is safe for schooling and shoaling fish as well.

Branded Aquatic Sand

There are four types of specialty aquarium sands, and puddle sand is a reasonable substitute for ane blazon, simply not for all four.

An ideal only expensive option for planted freshwater aquariums is using a special plant sand made from crushed ceramics. These products provide plants with essential nutrients and minerals and help boost their growth. Pool sands lack these vital nutrients, since they're just sand.

Sand for marine and reef tanks often contains crushed coral or calcium carbonate, which modify the aquarium's pH and increase the h2o's hardness. "Live" aquarium sands come packed in fresh or saltwater and incorporate living colonies of bacteria to help bound-start your tank's nitrogen cycle. Pool sand isn't a viable substitute for either of these products.

The final type are the plain silica-based aquarium sands, which are substantially the same thing as pool filter sand. They're available in a wider range of colors, including bright neon and pure white or black shades, but are likewise substantially more expensive than pool filter sand.

Children'due south Play Sand

It may be tempting to salve money by buying products marketed for playgrounds and sand pits for your aquarium, especially if you'd prefer a really bright colored substrate. Simply play sands are also fine for utilise in aquariums. The sand tends to clump, and fifty-fifty when rinsed they frequently go out your water cloudy. I definitely recommend avoiding play sand, since puddle filter sand is a much improve option at a similar cost.

Should You lot Use Pool Sand in Your Aquarium?

Pool filter sand is really no more challenging to use than whatsoever other plain aquarium sand and is a lot less expensive, then in that location'due south no reason to spend more than on a branded product marketed for fish tanks unless you demand a specialty substrate for your plants or coral reef. For novice or coincidental fish keepers, pool sand is a reasonable and budget friendly option for almost freshwater tanks!