Is this sand ok for my tank?

[garfunkle]

I went to good old Walmart a minute ago and I decided to grab a few bags of sand while I was there. They only had two kinds, both the same brand. One was a white, super fine grain sand, but it said "WARNING: Do not use in aquariums" on the bag, so obviously I bought the other kind which had no such warning. The brand was Kolor Scape. Does anyone know if it is safe for my 55g tank I am setting up? Thanks

 

[teen]

ive heard of it. it was supposed to be the substitute for southdown (the good stuff). i have heard it has silicates in it and it will cause excess algae growth.
wait for someone else to chime in though, ive never used the stuff myself.

 

[bgrae001]

I used it in my first sw tank and I had algae problems like crazy, I evenually covered it up with crushed coral and that seemed to help some.
I would not recommend it

 

[garfunkle]

I am also planing on adding a 1" layer of live sand. Will this prevent unwanted crud from getting to the dry sand?

 

[teen]

i wouldnt use it. even if you cover it with live sand it will eventually all mix and you will have crazy algae problems.

 

[garfunkle]

Originally Posted by teen
i wouldnt use it. even if you cover it with live sand it will eventually all mix and you will have crazy algae problems.

I don't understand what makes it different from Carib Sea or another brand...

 

[teen]

it silicate based. the others are not.

 

[aztec reef]

Originally Posted by Garfunkle
I went to good old Walmart a minute ago and I decided to grab a few bags of sand while I was there. They only had two kinds, both the same brand. One was a white, super fine grain sand, but it said "WARNING: Do not use in aquariums" on the bag, so obviously I bought the other kind which had no such warning. The brand was Kolor Scape. Does anyone know if it is safe for my 55g tank I am setting up? Thanks

do you know if this is a silica based? 100% silica or calcium carbonate based?
I think you were better off by buying the pure white fine grain.. darker sands means it has impurities(usually). I think that Kolor scape,sand is from the makers of southdown. does it say Old castle?

 

[aztec reef]

Originally Posted by Garfunkle
"WARNING: Do not use in aquariums" on the bag,
This is Bogus...

 

[teen]

do you have a pic of the sand. ive been reading up on it and im getting mixed reviews. i think theres a more coarse variety and a finer variety, that looks like sugar. i think the sugar one might be fine.

 

[garfunkle]

Originally Posted by teen
do you have a pic of the sand. ive been reading up on it and im getting mixed reviews. i think theres a more coarse variety and a finer variety, that looks like sugar. i think the sugar one might be fine.
Well poop in my shoes, I bought the tan kind. I guess I will take it back and get the fine grain, even though it says do not use for aquariums. That seemed a little fishy...get it fishy?

It may be that a single manufacturer owns this brand along with an aquarium brand and thay just put the warning to try to get you to pay $20 a bag for the same stuff.

 

[garfunkle]

Originally Posted by teen
do you have a pic of the sand. ive been reading up on it and im getting mixed reviews. i think theres a more coarse variety and a finer variety, that looks like sugar. i think the sugar one might be fine.

Here it is. I think the blue bag one may be the one I need.

 

[larryndana]

ok so its possible that you can have algae problems with sand like that. so you are going to save 50 bucks but maybe have algae problems down the road. or even worse like metals leaching into your tank.
i'd say spend the extra money and skimp on something else.
JMO, its what i did. oh trust me i wish i would have bought some cheap sand, but i know how much i would have been kicking myself if i had algae problems.

 

[larryndana]

i don't know why i posted, i'm sure you will just use that cheap stuff. well good luck hope you don't have problems.

 

[aztec reef]

Originally Posted by Garfunkle
Well poop in my shoes, I bought the tan kind. I guess I will take it back and get the fine grain, even though it says do not use for aquariums. That seemed a little fishy...get it fishy?
yeah, go for the blue bag that warning sign is so that you don't become the richest man alive, by selling a bunch of pallets of sand to saltwater hobbiests..

 

[sea n life]

are you gonna buy fish that MIGHT have ick to save a couple bucks? no. just spend a lil extra money and do it right the first time ur going to have the tank for a long time so its worth the money

 

[garfunkle]

Originally Posted by Aztec Reef
yeah, go for the blue bag that warning sign is so that you don't become the richest man alive, by selling a bunch of pallets of sand to salwater hobbiests..

I am, and while I am there, I am going to pick up a moon light for the tank...as well as some chicken fingers....and baked beans. Boy I love Walmart.

 

[larryndana]

good luck. :jumping:

 

[traps]

I've used Play Sand from home depot with success. Fish and inverts live in it without problem. Though it's only for my QT tank.

 

[larryndana]

Originally Posted by Traps
I've used Play Sand from home depot with success. Fish and inverts live in it without problem. Though it's only for my QT tank.
thats cool
i personally wouldn't want to risk it, i know some people say they use it. although i've never seen a long track record, not saying there isn't anyone with one.
to much of a gamble, considering i'm only saving 50 bucks. which is what i would have saved if i did that when i last bought sand.