Playbox sand?

dustintx

dustintx

Member
So I recently cleaned out my entire tank and removed the crushed coral that I had. It seemed to trap way too much waste and no fish could clean it. So right now I have a bare bottom tank but am looking to get sand. So I was wondering if anyone has used playbox sand to make a live sand bottom for their tank? If so,where can I get it cheap,lowes,home depot?
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
The typical playsand is loaded with feldpar - a readily soluble form of silicates. In my opinion it would be a mistake to add this to a saltwater aquarium.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Yes. You may prefer course grain sand over an oolite. Oolite sand blows around too much with water movement.
 
dustintx

dustintx

Member
Well,the plan would be to get sand sifters,burrowers(jaw fish) etc. So is course good enough or should I go finer?
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
IMHO play sand from lowes or home depot is fine.
We used to scour all the lowes/home depots for miles and miles looking for tropical play sand which is actually calcium not silicon based. But that is no longer available. It also stated right on the bag "not fit for aquarium or traction use" LOL.
Several others on many message boards have confirmed my experience that play sand currently available works fine.
my .02
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by beaslbob http:///t/393793/playbox-sand#post_3504469
IMHO play sand from lowes or home depot is fine.
We used to scour all the lowes/home depots for miles and miles looking for tropical play sand which is actually calcium not silicon based. But that is no longer available. It also stated right on the bag "not fit for aquarium or traction use" LOL.
Several others on many message boards have confirmed my experience that play sand currently available works fine.
my .02
Beaslbob I think the old days your referring to "White Castle" sand.....Yeah a thing of the past, and I'm with your logic and thinking.....that the sand would be fine for use.....Some have issues some don't, but I think it's a little deeper than the "sand".
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
White castle or even Southdown was a good brand, but I don't think you can buy either anymore. Best to go with something that you *know* is for aquarium use - like the calcium carbonate based sands that the aquarium industry sells.
I thought about skipping this step myself once, but I'm greatful that I didn't.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
I have 2000 pounds of "used" Southdown in my basement. It was an outstanding oolithic variable grained calcium carbonate sand. The best and cheapest sand available in my humble opinion.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///t/393793/playbox-sand#post_3504781
I have 2000 pounds of "used" Southdown in my basement. It was an outstanding oolithic variable grained calcium carbonate sand. The best and cheapest sand available in my humble opinion.
Ah, the good ole' days.
Why don't you get your lagoon back up and going Bang? You know you want to have a tank! How's your ten gallon coming along?
Sorry for the hijack by the way.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/393793/playbox-sand#post_3504772
White castle or even Southdown was a good brand, but I don't think you can buy either anymore. Best to go with something that you *know* is for aquarium use - like the calcium carbonate based sands that the aquarium industry sells.
I thought about skipping this step myself once, but I'm greatful that I didn't.
White Castle I think was more the mother company who made Southdown....I'd have to ask my sister she worked for the company years ago, and that's how I got my hands on it when it dried up on the available market.....There's a lot of things that say not for aquarium use, but we do it.....Silicone is a good example Seth.....Mrs Wages........Road salt another.....The list goes on and on......
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/393793/playbox-sand#post_3504788
White Castle I think was more the mother company who made Southdown....I'd have to ask my sister she worked for the company years ago, and that's how I got my hands on it when it dried up on the available market.....There's a lot of things that say not for aquarium use, but we do it.....Silicone is a good example Seth.....Mrs Wages........Road salt another.....The list goes on and on......
haha, yeah...
road salt,
epsom salt,
baking soda
soda ash
Mrs. Wages
... as far as chemicals go.
I know there are SEVERAL things that I do to my tank that others may *gasp* at, and that's why I don't share.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Those are all acceptable but maybe not for the faint at heart.....I mean honestly can you say the stuff we buy at the LFS or wherever it comes from is actually pure and not the exact same things.....
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I'm almost positive that Mrs. Wages and Kent Kalkwasser are made at the same facility. lol Yah just never know. I know a lot of people who have used the cheap stuff for YEARS without issues other than typical husbandry and maintenance problems...
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
If you'all want to got back to the really really dark ages in a land far far away a long time ago we used to:
use play sand with crushed oyster shells mixed in.
 
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