Bulk Play Sand

[osuaquarist]

Is it ok to use play sand from lowes in a saltwater aquarium. I know it has high silicates so it may cause algae blooms at first, but other than that is there any problems with it? How many of you have used this sand, I really don't want to spend a couple hundred on argonite sand for my 125g FOWLR.
Quick replys are appreciated if the sand is ok I'd like to put it in today!

 

[snakeblitz33]

No.
Diatoms will be ever present in your tank for all eternity. They look horrible and not something you would want to show off for your friends and family.
I wouldn't do it. Just invest the few hundred extra dollars and set it up right the first time. You will be glad you did. Besides, for a 125 fowlr, you only need 120lbs or so of sand. That's 4 bags of 30lb sacks, they're about 28$ each or so if you just get dry aragonite.
Good luck with your venture.

 

[keith burn]

And it must be the right kind of sand you must test it....
Its suppose to be silica free.
Test sand with vinegar to see if it will work 1st
Simply place a teaspoon full of sand into a cup with a lid (glass if you have one) of vinegar and shake for about 2/3 minutes. Allow the vinegar to sit for a few hours and recheck, if all of the sand is dissolved then use it, if not do not the sand has silica in it.

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by keith burn
http:///forum/post/2717146
And it must be the right kind of sand you must test it....
Its suppose to be silica free.
Silicate free... there's nothing wrong with Silica Sand as long as it's pure Silica, small grains, and smooth grains.

 

[keith burn]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/2717192
Silicate free... there's nothing wrong with Silica Sand as long as it's pure Silica, small grains, and smooth grains.
l see this is new to me,
looked it up and now it's ok, 5y back it was not...
It,s all good...

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by keith burn
http:///forum/post/2717204
l see this is new to me,
looked it up and now it's ok, 5y back it was not...
It,s all good...

IMO Calcium carbonate sand is the absolute best but even 5 years ago people were confusing Silica with Silicate. Diatoms use Silicates to build their structure, Silica is what the aquarium glass is made of.
Best - Calcium carbonate oolitic natural sand.
Good - Pure silica sand - NOT pool filter sand though (rough edges). If it's not pure white then it's not pure silica.
Not acceptable - Play sand containing feldspar, silicates, or any other impurities.

 

[nemo_66]

im pretty sure in some states, the home depots carry southdown sand. it comes in 50 pound bags i believe, and they are used as playsand, but it comes from the ocean. if you can find it, i would go for it. you have to rinse them before you put it in your tank though.
heres a pic that i googled. im not sure how up to date the bag is, but you get the point. its as cheap as other playsands too.

 

[1journeyman]

Sadly Southdown sand has not been sold for several years now. If you can find it; buy it all...

 

[keith burn]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/2717246
IMO Calcium carbonate sand is the absolute best but even 5 years ago people were confusing Silica with Silicate. Diatoms use Silicates to build their structure, Silica is what the aquarium glass is made of.
Best - Calcium carbonate oolitic natural sand.
.
Oolitic natural sand just found out about it and it is free.
I am going to use it in my next tank set up.

 

[nemo_66]

Originally Posted by 1journeyman
http:///forum/post/2717345
Sadly Southdown sand has not been sold for several years now. If you can find it; buy it all...

I've heard it still sells in north or south carolina... im not sure though. i did hear a story of a guy going there, and when he went to home depot, he filled his entire trucks bed with the stuff.

 

[tdog7879]

Originally Posted by OSUaquarist
http:///forum/post/2717005
Is it ok to use play sand from lowes in a saltwater aquarium. I know it has high silicates so it may cause algae blooms at first, but other than that is there any problems with it? How many of you have used this sand, I really don't want to spend a couple hundred on argonite sand for my 125g FOWLR.
Quick replys are appreciated if the sand is ok I'd like to put it in today!
My LFS that specialized in reef tanks told me that playsand that says it is silica free is NOT so i would stick with argonite.