Southdown sand

[burnnspy]

What is Southdown sand?, it sounds like trouble to me. I have seen it recommended by more and more people and I hope they arent leading new reef keepers astray.
It is important that the gravel size used in DSB or Plenum systems isnt too small in grain size like 'sand box' sand or you will probably pay the price in the long run when the sand bed fails.
BurnNSpy

 

[beth]

What's the correct size for DSB?

 

[fender]

I also keep finding references to sand at Home Depot. Please correct me if I am wrong but isn't sand a bad thing?
Is it actually sand as in beach sand,playground sand etc. Doesn't it contain silicates which cause diatom and algae blooms?
Or is it a general reference to aragonite?
Is aragonite just another name for crushed coral?
I am confusing myself even as I type....
I have 90g tank with 40lbs of aragonite (2-3mm in size) and 40lbs of NO live sand(?) (says aragonite on the bag) and am planning another 40lbs or so of, well something....
sand(?) bed is about 2-3 inches right now.

 

[mr . salty]

Home Depot's Southdown tropical play sand is actually reef sand that is collected from the same place that Carib Sea gets thier sand. It has been used by literally millions of reefers for years now. It is perfectly safe for your tank.And quite a bit cheaper than buying Carib Sea's sand,although it is the exact same stuff.Just packaged and sold by a diferent company,for a diferent use.....

 

[beth]

Isn't Carbi Live, though? As opposed to the South, which is baged for playsand, and now the hobby?

 

[cosmosbasement]

Elizabeth-I myself have been using sand from home depot. I am using Quickcrete. Only a very small portion to make up for some others. I used 40 lbs of Nature's Ocean and about 10 lbs of Quickcrete sand. I'm not sure of the exact name of the top of my head. I used it as a mixture and it's great. Then I went to the lfs and bought some live sand from their tanks to bring in the critters. Came out great and no problem. The thing about the syndicates that you are talking about is a myth. I have had no problems.
peace
doug

 

[mr . salty]

Originally posted by Beth:
<STRONG>Isn't Carbi Live, though? As opposed to the South, which is baged for playsand, and now the hobby?</STRONG>
Live,or dead(dry).It's still the exact same stuff from the same place......I talked to a rep at southdown,this person and many others have all said the same thing.It IS AQUARIUM SAFE.....

 

[johnnysalt]

To all those wanting Southdown sand thinking you can grab some at your nearest Home Depot, you might want to call the people who distribute it at **************** (If # does not show up, email me) Talk to DAWN to see if your Home Depot carries it. She told me it is not sold in the South.....darn it!
Don't get your hopes up unless you're in the midwest I guess!
Have fun!
[ May 15, 2001: Message edited by: MR . SALTY ]

 

[jimi]

Im lucky my HDs carry it and I have been slowly adding it no problems so far and alot cheaper at $3.84 a bag then lfs sand. I dont think I would use the quikrete type sand although some people have.