How to Use High Desert Play Sand in a Fresh Water Aquarium

A freshwater aquarium can bring life and beauty into a home. For small homes and apartments that don't have space for cats and dogs, a fish tank can give people a way to keep lower-maintenance pets. One important aspect of a fish tank is the setting. Use high desert play sand as a natural equivalent to gravel or rocks to form your tank's foundation, and decorate further from there.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium
  • Water
  • Filter/pump
  • Sand
  • Bucket
  • Plastic hose
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Wash your sand and any other equipment that you're going to use in setting up the aquarium. Wash equipment only in fresh water, as soap or chemicals could stick to the material and harm the fish. Run water over pump, filter, plants, etc. Place the sand in a bucket and fill the bucket with water. Swish the water through the sand, then pour it off. Repeat until the water you're pouring off is nearly clear.

    • 2

      Put everything in your fish tank before you add water. If you're using a subterranean filter, construct the filter on the bottom of the tank first, and then evenly distribute the sand across the bottom of the fish tank.

    • 3

      Add water once you've set up your aquarium. Pour water down the sides of the tank to avoid displacing the sand, or set a plate on top of the sand to evenly distribute the water. Turn your pump and filter on once the fish tank is full of water, and let them run for at least 24 hours before you add fish. Any clouding of the water caused by the sand will settle.

    • 4

      Clean your fish tank by hand periodically to supplement the actions of the pump and filter. Use a plastic hose to form a vacuum, and run the hose around the edges of the fish tank to suck up any waste or plant material. Keep the hose at least 4 cm above the sand; since organic material is lighter than the sand, you'll suck up any waste without catching sand as well.