Reef upgrade question. (DSB)

[125intx]

My fish are in QT for the net 3-4 weeks. And since my LR is laying all over the tank I would like to "upgrade" my substrate. I have a 2' base of crushed coral. I want to put in a 3-4" base of sand. I am not going to but LS, I was reading on Kips site about a brand of sand called Southdown ( http://www.billsext.com/rocknsand.htm ) that you can get at Homedepot. $5 for 50lbs. I guess what I am wondering is what this is going to do to my tank. The tank is fishless, but has two carpets, snails shrimp and crabs. Other than the cloud of sand, will this affest anything in the tank? Or any other problems?
Tank size 125G
Thanks
Chris

 

[gatorcsm]

As long as you have some other form of filtration (the rock) it shouldn't be a problem. I would remove all the current inhabitants while doing the switch to a temporary holding container.. That way the sand can settle a little without bothering them too much.

 

[shanev]

Good luck finding southdown in Texas. There has been very little success of getting it here that I have seen.

 

[125intx]

Originally posted by ShaneV
Good luck finding southdown in Texas. There has been very little success of getting it here that I have seen.
Yea thats what I have found so far. What did you find as a replacement?
Chris
Thanks Kip! Cool web site BTW

 

[shanev]

I found a LFS that has pure agragonite sand in 40lbs for $15.00

 

[125intx]

Originally posted by ShaneV
I found a LFS that has pure agragonite sand in 40lbs for $15.00
Yea my LFS has it but is not $15. Check this link out.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/92681/des-you-lfs-charge-for-water-tests-amarilloans-please-read

 

[daniel411]

Won't homedepot special order it if you bring in the UPC number?

 

[cprdnick]

When I went to our Home Depot to find some, they were extremely rude when I kept trying to get them to check the other stores, I know they can do it, I have an ex girlfriend that used to work there. Getting Southdown in Amarillo is about as easy as growing crops here.
Hey Chris, I've read about people order very large quantities of Southdown to their homes. I'm going to have to have enough for a 4-5 in DSB in a 150 gal come March, if you wanna look into getting some I'm sure there are some other hobbyists in this giant town.

 

[kreach]

I had the same problem trying to find southdown in Texas. I know of an online site where you can buy 40 lbs of dry aragonite for $15 a bag and their shipping charges are very reasonable. E mail me at kreach@sbcglobal.net for the link.

 

[kreach]

Originally posted by Kipass4130
yeah.. you can order a whole pallet (27 bags) from southdown (now old castle)... i am sure you will get some interest in you area... you could charge for the bags (cheap straight from Old castle + freight + a little extra for your effors) and it will still be cheaper than other sand alternatives for aragonite
Hey Kip... do you have an email/website/phone number for southdown/old castle? I was going to try to order direct from them but could never find a website or anything.

 

[cprdnick]

I tried contactin yardright about a week ago and still haven't gotten a response.

 

[125intx]

Clint,
Keep me in mind when you get ready do order. I was realy wanting to do this before I put my fish back in the DT. (3-4 weeks) I may just hold off. Other than the ICK the tank has done real well.
Chris

 

[sparky0028]

Kip
I read the thread on curing the sand but I am still in the dark. How do you know the sand has enough bacteria on it. Can you use a 5gal bucket for each bag or should you use a different type ofcontainer. Also there was a question about placing a heater and power head with the sand but I don't recall anyone answering it. I would like to get my base deeper and not disturb what I have right now!

 

[sparky0028]

Thanks Kip
I'll give this a try, used some ls from the lfs but was very disappointed--all I got was some wet sand and none of the good stuff.

 

[daniel411]

I found a large shallow rubbermaid tub worked better than a bucket for curing sand. More surface area, less deep, easier to mix

 

[sparky0028]

Kip
It was bagged sand, I don't think they have a tank for curing sand so I am going to ask for a cup of the fall off from the rock curing tank (will a cup be enough for 100gal tank).
Daniel--like the idea Thanks

 

[cprdnick]

Hey Chris, I was just on another thread and someone claims to have found a LFS in Cleburne, TX down just south of Ft. Worth that carries Old Castle, aka Southdown. This upcoming week, monday or tuesday, I will be heading to Houston. I've mapped it out and Cleburne will be on my way back on Wednesday. I am about to try to get a phone number for this place, if it exists, but I want to try to find out the price per bag. If it is open tomorrow I should be able to get ahold of them. I don't know if you check your mail when you aren't at work, but I'm notifying you of the find.