scopus tang
Active Member
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
http:///forum/post/2934185
Look, if you want to nickle and dime it, the saltwater hobby is NOT for you. You should GET OUT NOW. Go ahead and get your sand, you seem to be so convinced about it already. Go ahead and do it, you don't need us to give you permission.
Easy SnakeBlitz - from his perspective, he's asking a valid question.
Originally Posted by Gooch
http:///forum/post/2934203
70-80 dollars isnt nickel and diming things...
The only reason I am convinced is that nobody has offered any reasonable reasons as to why not to use the calcium based playsand. All I have seen have been comments like "why chance it" or "just spend the extra and get the aquarium sand" instead of saying something along the lines as well the calcium based play sand will not work well because of x and x...
I like to have a reason before I just throw away money at something that there appears to be a completely viable cheaper solution...
I would certainly be open to hearing reasons why I shouldnt go with the calcium based play sand that arent based on speculation as I have not purchased it yet and am going at this slow. But I do not appreciate people trying to convince me to leave this hobby simply because I want more concrete answers on things before I open up the wallet.
Gooch, once again, you are looking for a simple "wrong or right" when again, there is no "wrong or right" answer. As I stated - I've read about and actually know people who have used the play sand and have had no issues - I've also read about and know people who tried it and it failed miserably. Perhaps as you said, the difference is in the "vinegar test". However, there is also a possibility of other factors - absorption or leeching of materials for instance - that aren't necessarily looked out or controlled in bagging play sand, but would be in the bagging of sand for live aquariums (at least we hope). Again, based on speculation - like you, I often look for ways to make savings - some I take, some I choose not to. To me personally, if I were spending the $5,000 to $6,000 dollars its going to take to set up that big tank right, spending a couple hundred on sand wouldn't be an issue - it would simply be something I had factored in to make sure I did it right. How are you going to feel after you spent $6,000 on a tank set-up if (not saying it will) it crashes because of the sand, but you saved a few hundred dollars? Too me personally, its just not worth the risk - to you perhaps it is
. Ultimately as many people on this thread have pointed out, you are the one who has to decide; it is after all your tank and your money.
http:///forum/post/2934185
Look, if you want to nickle and dime it, the saltwater hobby is NOT for you. You should GET OUT NOW. Go ahead and get your sand, you seem to be so convinced about it already. Go ahead and do it, you don't need us to give you permission.
Easy SnakeBlitz - from his perspective, he's asking a valid question.
Originally Posted by Gooch
http:///forum/post/2934203
70-80 dollars isnt nickel and diming things...
The only reason I am convinced is that nobody has offered any reasonable reasons as to why not to use the calcium based playsand. All I have seen have been comments like "why chance it" or "just spend the extra and get the aquarium sand" instead of saying something along the lines as well the calcium based play sand will not work well because of x and x...
I like to have a reason before I just throw away money at something that there appears to be a completely viable cheaper solution...
I would certainly be open to hearing reasons why I shouldnt go with the calcium based play sand that arent based on speculation as I have not purchased it yet and am going at this slow. But I do not appreciate people trying to convince me to leave this hobby simply because I want more concrete answers on things before I open up the wallet.
Gooch, once again, you are looking for a simple "wrong or right" when again, there is no "wrong or right" answer. As I stated - I've read about and actually know people who have used the play sand and have had no issues - I've also read about and know people who tried it and it failed miserably. Perhaps as you said, the difference is in the "vinegar test". However, there is also a possibility of other factors - absorption or leeching of materials for instance - that aren't necessarily looked out or controlled in bagging play sand, but would be in the bagging of sand for live aquariums (at least we hope). Again, based on speculation - like you, I often look for ways to make savings - some I take, some I choose not to. To me personally, if I were spending the $5,000 to $6,000 dollars its going to take to set up that big tank right, spending a couple hundred on sand wouldn't be an issue - it would simply be something I had factored in to make sure I did it right. How are you going to feel after you spent $6,000 on a tank set-up if (not saying it will) it crashes because of the sand, but you saved a few hundred dollars? Too me personally, its just not worth the risk - to you perhaps it is
