Aqua Natural Delta Sand Aquarium Sand, 10 lb

Grains of 0.8 to 1.2 mm make up this aquarium sand, which is made of natural sand and packed in a bag of 10 lb. Dark browns and earthy tones are modelled on Mississippi Delta wetland soil, and the material suits aquariums, vivariums and terrariums.

Filling a tank with Delta Sand

The rule of thumb for a half-inch layer is 1 lb of sand per gallon, which puts a 20 gallon tank at 20 lbs; for taller decor build-up or a lower, flatter aquarium, use 1.5 to 2 lbs per gallon. One bag therefore covers a smaller footprint at the half-inch depth than a 20 lb bag would.

Before packing, the sand is triple washed and kiln dried, and the bag holds one 10 lb portion of Delta Sand.

Where this sand fits and where it does not

Grain size is the first check: at 0.8 to 1.2 mm the sand is fine, and the stated uses are aquariums, vivariums and terrariums. The dark brown shade is fixed, so the colour you receive is the earthy brown shown for the Delta range rather than a choice of tones.

The bag holds 10 lbs, which is less than the 20 lbs the rule of thumb calls for in a 20 gallon tank at a half-inch layer; plan on more than one bag for that footprint or for the 1.5 to 2 lbs per gallon figure.

What should you know before buying Delta Sand?

How much sand does a 10 lb bag cover?

At the half-inch rule of thumb of 1 lb per gallon, one bag covers a 10 gallon tank. A 20 gallon tank at the same depth needs 20 lbs, so two bags.

What grain size is the sand?

The grains measure 0.8 to 1.2 mm, which is a fine grade. That grain size is the figure to compare against any substrate you already use.

How is the sand prepared before packing?

The sand is triple washed and kiln dried before it is packed.

Which tanks and enclosures can use it?

The stated uses are aquariums, vivariums and terrariums. It is also described as matching well with aquarium plants and any decor.

What are the features of this fine aquarium sand?

The grains sit between 0.8 and 1.2 mm, and the sand is dense with low fines, so it does not blow around in the tank. Water flow and fish activity move this heavy substrate less than lighter material.

The colour runs through dark browns and earthy tones, reminiscent of Mississippi Delta wetland soil. The sand is licensed and sourced responsibly in the USA, and it is made of natural sand.