Southdown Alternative?

[revex]

I live on the west coast and I am unable to get my hands on any SD sand. So, I was wondering if there are any other play sands that I can use in a reef tank. And will it become live sand after a while if I put some real live sand into/over it?
Thanks in advance
ReveX

 

[fshhub]

quicker test
put a little in a pile
add afew drops of vinegar. then if it fizzes, it is aragonite, if not, it is silica sand
BUT, silica sand has been rumoreed to be a probelm for tanks, however, we are finding that it is not a problem, jsut not quite as good as aragonite.
A decent alternative is quickrete sand, still offers the benefits of a dsb, just not the buffering capabiliteis.

 

[nm reef]

Here is a link to a article on "silica" sands...lots of good reliable info. I've used Quickcrete Playsand in my refugiums with success...no problems with either silica or phosphates. My only problem with it is the slightly brownish color...just doesn't look as good as aragonite based sands.