Quikrete play sand

[farmerbob]

Hi all,
I am setting up a new salt tank for the first time in several years. It is only 30 gallons, because a) that's all I have and b) we're in a 3rd floor apartment so there's only so much I can risk. Plan on fish only for now, adding live rock later.
This will be my first attempt to ever use a LS substitute. I went to home depot last night and they carried Quikrete's play sand. Its primarily quartz sand, screened, dried, and sterilized.
My question is, is that going to be a sufficient substitute for aragonite? Should I mix it with another type of sand like maybe puverized limestone? Should I abandon altogether?

 

[mie]

It's only a 30 gallon i would suggest buying live sand and not going the play sand route. It will cost just under 40 dollars for sand. You could buy one bag of live sand and the rest dead sand.

 

[snakeblitz33]

you can get 30lbs of dry aragonite sand online for about 20 dollars. Not a bad deal at all.
Never use quickrete sand substitutes. If it doesn't pass the vinegar test, don't use it. One of the reasons why we use aragonite sand is because it buffers the saltwater up to 8.2 and puts some calcium in the water.
To do the vinegar test: Take a tablespoon of play sand and dump it into a pint of vinegar. If you see any bubbles, then it is good and you can use it. If you don't see any bubbles, stay away from it and don't use it.

 

[snakeblitz33]

you said quartz, and quartz isn't calcium, it's a mineral. I know right now the vinegar test isn't going to work. Abandon your experiment.
Bite the bullet and buy the proper stuff. You're not setting up a 500 gal. tank, why risk it?

 

[farmerbob]

done... the sand has been returned. Thanks guys
Next on the agenda, where is this place you speak of with $20 sand?

 

[lexluethar]

Most LFS have aragonite that you can purchase. I bought mine for about 30 dollars for 40 lbs - i have a 30 gallon tank and I have a TON left over.
As for the live rock, I would suggest adding some prior to your fish. Live rock will be the best filtration for your tank. ALthough people use mechanical filtration to take out large food particles, it does not help in the breakdown of ammonia caused by fish poop. I'm know you can have a tank without any live rock, but if you are planning on adding some later, i would just suggest doing so sooner.
Again the rock will be a place for the bacteria to populate and break down harmful ammonia/nirite.