Inert sand
Also known as: Pool filter sand, Silica sand, Play sand (washed), Black diamond blasting sand
Properties
| pH effect | neutral / inert |
|---|---|
| KH (carbonate hardness) | neutral |
| GH (general hardness) | neutral |
| Nutrient load | none |
| Ammonia release initially | No |
| Particle size | 0.2 to 0.8 mm |
| Longevity | indefinite |
| Cost tier | low |
How it affects the tank
- Provides no nutrients to root feeders: heavy-feeding plants (swords, crypts) will yellow and stall without root tabs supplementing
- Cory catfish, kuhli loaches, and other substrate-sifters thrive on fine sand which lets them filter without scratching their barbels
- Anaerobic pockets form over time under uniform fine sand; periodic gentle stirring or malaysian trumpet snails prevent hydrogen sulfide buildup
- Easy to clean with a gravel vacuum held just above the surface; debris lifts off without pulling up the sand itself
Care notes
Rinse aggressively before adding to the tank or expect cloudy water for hours. Pool filter sand is the cheapest reliable option in the US; "black diamond" sandblasting sand is industrial-grade but works fine in freshwater (rinse thoroughly). Avoid play sand without washing; the surfactants kill fish.
Plants that work in inert sand
61 aquarium plants in the catalog list this substrate as compatible.
- African water fern
- Alternanthera reineckii Rosaefolia
- Amazon frogbit
- Amazon sword
- Ambulia
- Anacharis
- Anubias barteri
- Anubias congensis
- Anubias nana
- Anubias nana petite
- Aponogeton ulvaceus
- Bacopa caroliniana
- Bacopa monnieri
- Banana plant
- Bucephalandra
- Bucephalandra Brownie Ghost
- Cabomba
- Christmas moss
- Cryptocoryne balansae
- Cryptocoryne beckettii
- Cryptocoryne parva
- Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia
- Cryptocoryne undulata
- Cryptocoryne wendtii
- Duckweed
- Dwarf four-leaf clover
- Dwarf hairgrass
- Dwarf hygrophila
- Dwarf sagittaria
- Echinodorus bleheri
- Flame moss
- Giant hygrophila
- Hornwort
- Hydrocotyle tripartita
- Hygrophila pinnatifida
- Java fern
- Java fern narrow leaf
- Java moss
- Jungle val
- Ludwigia repens
- Ludwigia Super Red
- Marsh ludwigia
- Micro sword
- Monte Carlo
- Needle leaf hairgrass
- Ozelot sword
- Phoenix moss
- Pogostemon erectus
- Pygmy chain sword
- Red milfoil
- Red root floater
- Riccia fluitans
- Rotala indica
- Rotala rotundifolia
- Salvinia
- Staurogyne repens
- Subwassertang
- Water lettuce
- Water sprite
- Water wisteria
- Weeping moss
Sources
Data drawn from: aquatic-plant-central, seriously-fish. Last verified 2026-05-13.
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