Sand, Simply Sand

[techman81]

I was planning to use ADA La Plata in the scape I'm currently focused on. I have a small bag but it won't likely be enough. Aqua Forest Aquariums is currently sold out. Any ideas for an alternative that is very close to the La Plata? I have some Caribsea sand that's in between the La Plata and Colorado colors, but I think it's a little to tan to go well with Seiryu stone. I want something that has a more white La Plata look and grain size. It would also be nice to find something at a better price point going forward which I've also been trying to do with the aquasoils.

 

[Jeff Miotke]

ive run into this same challenge. I have not found a good substitute. The la plata is opaque. The carib sea whitish sands are more transparent. This creates a very different look and feel. Grain variety also creates even more difficulty finding a substitute. And yea ADA sand is expensive but adding shipping makes it a hard pass for me.

You can see me play with different sands in my videos trying to find something that works. Ive been settling on Carib sea moonlight but it is a fine uniform very white sand. so I have been mixing gravel and other sands with it.

Hopefully others have some advice.

 

[techman81]

I've been settling on Carib sea moonlight but it is a fine uniform very white sand. so I have been mixing gravel and other sands with it.

That's a good idea, mix some of the La Plata I have with the cheaper Caribsea just to soften the white down a bit.

 

[VJM]

Is the UNS Controsand in Bora too brown for you?

 

[techman81]

Is the UNS Controsand in Bora too brown for you?

It may be OK, I checked it out some time ago at my LFS but forgot what I thought. The price though, isn't much better than ADA. While on Amazon to purchase some Caribsea, I came across this Aqua Natural Iwagumi Sand - Colorado . It's being delivered tomorrow and I'll see what I think of it on it's own and mixed with the ADA.