CC to LS is this sand okay

bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
No. That sand is not compatible with a reef system. You need something that is either pure aragonite or pure Silica, sugar sized or a similar mix, and without sharp edges.
 
dicemanj

dicemanj

Member
Why would this not work, is it because it is not calcium based? What harm does the silica do. Just trying to get all the information. I am still searching for southdown.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
No, not because it isn't Calcium based. I don't believe that matters all that much.
It's because it's full of impurities like zinc, copper, tin, feldspar, etc.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
HD may have some pure silica sand but you might have to ask. Take a peek at a sample and see if the grains are round or at least smooth though. I don't know for sure, but I think sand blasting beads are silica.
 
dicemanj

dicemanj

Member
reef_magic, what did you use? silica based, what type of sand was it, how long ago did you install it. What is your experience
 
T

thomas712

Guest
Silica is fine to use because it is a stable compound, something that the glass from your aquarium is made from. Getting the best white grade you can get is prefered as this will contain the least amount of impurities.
Silicates is a different story, it is what diatoms love to make their shells out of. These diatom blooms can make your whole tank look like it is rusting.
Thomas
 
dicemanj

dicemanj

Member
Thomas, do you know if the sand I posted in this thread has silicates, or silica. I am trying to find sand to change my CC out tonight, but I am having no luck, except for the $1 pound sand at the LFS.
Any suggestions
 
dicemanj

dicemanj

Member
There is also sand at home depot that is labeled as premium play sand, it is a little browner in color. That is all the bag says, any idea if that works. I think I like the way the whiter sand looks
 
T

thomas712

Guest
I do not know if the sand you have in the link would be any good or not. As Bang Guy points out it may have sharp edges and if it does it will not only be harmful to your inverts but if some of the grains get caught in between a cleaning magnet you'll scratch the heck out of your glass.
Here are my suggestions:
Back off for now and don't worry about doing the change tonight.
There are lots of good Ohio members on this board and I'm sure some of them would be able to look around for the southdown,yardright, old castle playsand for you. In fact SammyStingray and Ryebread might know where you can get it I'm not sure.
Kip has used silica sand but I'm not sure which type he used, quickcrete or what, you can ask him about it or look up quickcrete posts ( or is it quickrete, not sure).
Any doubts about the sand you have now run a magnet through it and see if any stray metals are attracted.
Get some wet and see just how dark it is, many have changed over sands because of how dark the old silica sand was.
IMO you have not exausted your possiblilities yet. Start a thread Ohio Reefers need Southdown and ask.
Thomas
 
midwest reefer

midwest reefer

Member

Originally posted by Bang Guy
No. That sand is not compatible with a reef system. You need something that is either pure aragonite or pure Silica, sugar sized or a similar mix, and without sharp edges.
Bang, or anyone else. I noticed you point out "with a reef system" Do you think that cheap sand would be ok in a FO tank. I am doing a 55 gallon tank w/ a little LR and 1 mean trigger and need cheap sand. Ive asked before, but everyone refers to it being not suffice for reef. You think I would be ok using it in this tank?
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Play sand is a lot less risky for fish because the heavy metals take a lot longer to affect them. Possibly longer than their lifespan. Don't expect a DSB to work well though because the sand bed infauna won't live long term.
 
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