£15 for 10kg fine sand: Fair price?

[flavorite]

Just saw an ad for 10kg of fine sand at £15. Seems like a decent deal, but I'm not sure if it's worth it. Anyone have experience with this brand or price point? My tank's a 200L with Corydoras, so substrate matters.

[riverra]

That's a fair price if it's washed and aquarium-safe. Cheap sand can have silicates that mess with your water params. Check if it's pre-rinsed, and maybe test a small batch first. My 180L has had no issues with similar priced sand.

[floraison]

Yo, £15 for 10kg ain't bad if it's the good stuff. My LFS charges like £20 for the same. Just make sure it's not that dusty crap that clouds your tank for days. My Corys love fine sand, tho.

[jazzfox]

I've used that brand before. It's decent, but you'll need to rinse it thoroughly. My 120L took about 3 rinses to clear up. If you're okay with the extra work, go for it. Otherwise, spend a bit more for pre-washed.

[blueguy]

Depends on the grain size. Too fine and it'll compact, too coarse and it's rough on bottom dwellers. Measure the grains if you can. My Corys prefer 0.5–1mm grains. Anything else and they get stressed.

[gillsnap]

Lol, sand drama again. Just grab it and see. Worst case, you're out £15 and have to scoop it out. My tank's a mess half the time anyway. Corys don't care as long as they can sift.

[dayton]

I'd say it's a fair deal if it's clean. My 150L has had the same sand for 2 years, no issues. Just make sure it's not sharp. Corys are tough, but rough substrate can wear their barbels down.

[flavorite]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I'll check if it's pre-rinsed and test a small amount first. Appreciate the advice!

[riverra]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I'll check if it's pre-rinsed and test a small amount first. Appreciate the advice!

Smart move. Let us know how it goes. Always good to share experiences with substrates.

[floraison]

Yeah, keep us posted. If it works out, I might grab some too. My tank's due for a rescape soon, and I'm tired of overpaying for sand.