[hannat]

Hello! I just purchased a bag of white PetCo aquarium sand after seeing how much my roommate likes it. Right away when I opened the bag I noticed a paint smell, and even after several rinses (swirling around the water and pouring off the clouds that form) it still smells of paint. Does this occur with anyone else and with enough rinses would it be safe to use?

 

[Witchipoo]

Mine didn't smell like paint. I have some of thier white sand. I would take it back and I sure wouldn't risk my fish.

 

[Olivia27]

I have both black and white Petco sand in 4 out of 6 tanks. Never smelled paint. Something is off IMO see if you can return it

 

[jadaBlu]

It could have been stored someplace where chemicals were being used I'd take it back. I returned an aquarium from there that smelled like pine. I found out they use pine air freshner (smells like a stinky hamster cage to me) in their foyer where you come in the store. They display tanks there. I was not willing to chance the chemicals would hurt my fish. If you can go to a different Petco or crack the bag open a little before you leave the store and smell it to be sure you don't get more of the same batch.

 

[hannat]

I'll see if they let me return it. If all else fails, I don't mind how the tank looks bare bottomed. Thanks! I certainly don't trust it.

 

[jadaBlu]

I've tried bare bottom in some tanks I feel gets to be hassle after awhile. Plus I notice the fish seemed happier and more relaxed after I changed it. they always see their reflection in the bottom which is probably weird to them. Some natural looking gravel could be nice. Like this stuff:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51MY0MChVQL.jpg

 

[hannat]

I'll give it some thought, thanks! Fortunately, my PetCo is really good with returns. I asked yesterday, and the manager said I can bring the sand back no problem. I'll either try a different bag of sand or go for gravel.

 

[LittleStar]

Bare bottom tanks are all I've ever had and never regretted it. You can add some shells and soft coral pieces that are super easy to remove, and your water stays fresh much longer. Also converts to QT or hospital tank in seconds.

 

[jadaBlu]

I kept getting a film on the bottom of the tank even thought I was vacuuming a few times a week which eventually would cloud the water. I know lots of people do it but it was working for me. The fish produced lots of waste perhaps that is why.

 

[LittleStar]

Always be careful not to overfeed or overstock as that along with poor circulation can cause a bacteria or fungal bloom that can cloud your water or infect your fish. Filters that are overworked due to too much food or fish waste should be upgraded until the overstocked issue is resolved. If your tank is not overstocked and you do not overfeed and you are doing proper water changes then a bare bottom tank is really the best way to keep your water fresh and your fish healthy (in my opinion) as waste tends to accumulate more under rock beds (muck).

I like to be able to see what is on the bottom of my tanks so I know exactly how much waste is being produced and I have a better handle on keeping it clean.

Others may have very good substrate / rock tanks that they find easy to maintain. It comes down to a matter of personal preference really.