Silica Sand

[rusting]

It's white as snow. Yes it looks good and passes the vinegar test, so it should work in the tank. I don't have it in my 120, just an old tank in the basement, to see how it looked, no livestock in that tank yet.

 

[ljroman85]

I guess its as good as done then since im just starting the tank....but do you think that its bad for the fish? I hope it doesnt have any chemicals in it that are bad what do you think? or anyone for that matter

 

[rusting]

I would rinse it real good, and use it myself. Some people might have other thoughts about this. I think starting from scratch you should be OK. Go slow check your water.

 

[psusocr1]

i use silica based sand for awhile now and my levels are always at 0 and im almost stocked! and IMO its the whitest sand i think i can ever find!! it also became alive very quickly!

JMO

 

[ljroman85]

Well I saw the silica sand at lowes and it was BROWN like the almost like beach sand is that how yours is? I was thinking it could be white like white beach sand....what brand did you get??? All I saw today was gray and brown nothing that I really liked

 

[rusting]

I've also been doing some research on silica based sand. From every thing I read. it can also be a good choice. It may or may not cause diotoms.Do a search on this site and see what you think. It would look more like sand than the stone. What ever you buy make sure you like it a lot! It's very hard to change later, and costly. Don't let afew dollars make up your mind for you.

 

[psusocr1]

i actually used quickcrete play sand. should be by the concrete mixing aisle...this stuff is as white as white gets..it look sa little brownish in the bag because if all the "dust" you have in the bag but that all goes away once you wash your sand, and then on top of it once your sand becomes established a bit its becomes soooo white!!
there are alot of arguments on quickrete good and bad but honestly my levels are Always at 0 , i would put it in all my tanks( except its very fine and my stingray makes amess!!) but awesome for my animals!

 

[ljroman85]

wow sounds great really, what things do you have in the tank with the quickcrete? have any pics of your tank....I saw it lowes and didnt even think twice about it since I saw that someone here said it was not good....but it seems like you have had success with it right?