Yet Another play sand Question

Growurown · 07/24/2007, 01:14 PM

OK I am setting up a refuge for additional nitrate control on my aggressive tank.

I am planning on using regular pool or play sand on the bottom of the dsb for the first 5 inches, reef sand on top.

I know it can be used, question is are there any known ill effects that someone can tell me about in using this sand, other than an off color.

Gwynhidwy · 07/24/2007, 01:22 PM

It tends to be more rounded with fewer nooks and crannies for microorganisms to live in.

If it wasn't properly sealed or was produced/sealed with anything toxic to fish/invertebrates/microorganisms you'll be in trouble.

Growurown · 07/24/2007, 01:33 PM

thanks for the reply. I cant think of anything toxic in dry pool sand, but I will definately keep that in mind

Gwynhidwy · 07/24/2007, 01:45 PM

I'm not familiar with pool sand, but know that some "playground" sand are not aquarium safe. However, I have also been told that some are. Unfortunately I do not know which ones are which.

WaterKeeper · 07/24/2007, 03:59 PM

Bags of sand marked "Not for Aquarium Use" are just sand in which the manufactures lawyers don't want to take chances and are covering their butts. Usually they are fine. Silica sand does not provide buffering like aragonite but is of a fine texture, sugar sized or finer, it will do fine.

kevin2000 · 07/24/2007, 04:02 PM

The common complaint about using silica based "play sand" is it's potential to deliver additional silicates to the tank which can promote diatom issues. In general this argument is potentially valid but most who use silica based sand don't have this issue. I have used silica based Ocean sand for 25+ yrs w/o a problem.

It has been argued that some sand that is sold as "play sand" is not really sand but pulverized boulders which creates sharper edges and is theoretically more capable of leaching silicates.

To my knowledge there is no easy way of determining whether your "play sand" is real sand or man made sand .. thats probably part of the risk you take.

Hope this helps.

bertoni · 07/24/2007, 04:04 PM

The other issue with play sand is that it tends to be too coarse for a functioning DSB. In addition, it's not clear that most remote living DSBs (as opposed to the DSB-in-a-bucket idea) actually do much useful. I'd skip the sand and use the volume for more macroalgae, which are likely to help more, anyway, in my opinion.

jer77 · 07/24/2007, 04:36 PM

Not to hijack but I also have play sand that says "from the Caribbean", silica free, sterilized and it says do not use for aquariums. But my problem is that the bags have been sitting outside for a year which may have allowed mold or bacteria to grow in it. What can I do about this? I will only be using it for a SSB.

kevin2000 · 07/24/2007, 04:41 PM

Take a tablespoon of the sand and place it in a glass container .. then add some vinegar ... if it "bubbles" then you have some aragonite sand often sold under the "southdown" label which is very difficult to find these days.

A quick rinse and your sand s/b fine.

jer77 · 07/24/2007, 05:21 PM

I believe it is "southdown" sand. Its labeled as "Old Castle" or something like that. My friend bought it from my reef club way back when they still packaged it. I was lucky to receive over 300lbs for free! I don't know what to do with all of it...

kevin2000 · 07/24/2007, 05:25 PM

Well if your visiting the West Coast put some in your trunk and drop by ... trade you for BBQ & Beer.

Growurown · 07/24/2007, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bertoni
I'd skip the sand and use the volume for more macroalgae, which are likely to help more, anyway, in my opinion.

That is what I was kind of wondering, I may be better off just sticking strictly with Chaeto, so that is the route I probably will go, thanks for all the input guys.

jer77 · 07/24/2007, 05:50 PM

I've always wanted to visit the fish stores out your ways. Maybe if we trade room and board for southdown... I'll clean your tanks too, for the beer of course!

kevin2000 · 07/24/2007, 05:58 PM

Love to have you but I already have two "college students" who I am trying to get rid of ... but BBQ and Beer are always available at my house.

WaterKeeper · 07/25/2007, 01:30 PM

Old Castle is Southdown that was marketed a couple of years ago under that new name after the manufacturer of Southdown changed. If you can get it buy some up. There will be reefers in your area that would welcome getting some.

07/24/2007, 01:14 PM	#1
Growurown Moved On Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 198	Yet Another play sand Question OK I am setting up a refuge for additional nitrate control on my aggressive tank. I am planning on using regular pool or play sand on the bottom of the dsb for the first 5 inches, reef sand on top. I know it can be used, question is are there any known ill effects that someone can tell me about in using this sand, other than an off color.

07/24/2007, 03:59 PM	#5
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Bags of sand marked "Not for Aquarium Use" are just sand in which the manufactures lawyers don't want to take chances and are covering their butts. Usually they are fine. Silica sand does not provide buffering like aragonite but is of a fine texture, sugar sized or finer, it will do fine. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

07/24/2007, 04:04 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The other issue with play sand is that it tends to be too coarse for a functioning DSB. In addition, it's not clear that most remote living DSBs (as opposed to the DSB-in-a-bucket idea) actually do much useful. I'd skip the sand and use the volume for more macroalgae, which are likely to help more, anyway, in my opinion. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

07/24/2007, 04:36 PM	#8
jer77 Phish Lover Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,642	Not to hijack but I also have play sand that says "from the Caribbean", silica free, sterilized and it says do not use for aquariums. But my problem is that the bags have been sitting outside for a year which may have allowed mold or bacteria to grow in it. What can I do about this? I will only be using it for a SSB. __________________ - Jonny -, 120g 5 Year Old Reef w/ SPS, BTA, Zoos & some Softies. 40g Frag Tank. 40g Sump. Super Reef Octopus XP 3000 External Cone Skimmer. 250W Radiums. TaoTronics LED. PanWorld 200PS w/SQWD

07/24/2007, 05:21 PM	#10
jer77 Phish Lover Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,642	I believe it is "southdown" sand. Its labeled as "Old Castle" or something like that. My friend bought it from my reef club way back when they still packaged it. I was lucky to receive over 300lbs for free! I don't know what to do with all of it... __________________ - Jonny -, 120g 5 Year Old Reef w/ SPS, BTA, Zoos & some Softies. 40g Frag Tank. 40g Sump. Super Reef Octopus XP 3000 External Cone Skimmer. 250W Radiums. TaoTronics LED. PanWorld 200PS w/SQWD

07/24/2007, 01:22 PM	#2
Gwynhidwy Meat Popsicle Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,511	It tends to be more rounded with fewer nooks and crannies for microorganisms to live in. If it wasn't properly sealed or was produced/sealed with anything toxic to fish/invertebrates/microorganisms you'll be in trouble.

07/24/2007, 01:33 PM	#3
Growurown Moved On Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 198	thanks for the reply. I cant think of anything toxic in dry pool sand, but I will definately keep that in mind

07/24/2007, 01:45 PM	#4
Gwynhidwy Meat Popsicle Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,511	I'm not familiar with pool sand, but know that some "playground" sand are not aquarium safe. However, I have also been told that some are. Unfortunately I do not know which ones are which.

07/24/2007, 04:02 PM	#6
kevin2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,805	The common complaint about using silica based "play sand" is it's potential to deliver additional silicates to the tank which can promote diatom issues. In general this argument is potentially valid but most who use silica based sand don't have this issue. I have used silica based Ocean sand for 25+ yrs w/o a problem. It has been argued that some sand that is sold as "play sand" is not really sand but pulverized boulders which creates sharper edges and is theoretically more capable of leaching silicates. To my knowledge there is no easy way of determining whether your "play sand" is real sand or man made sand .. thats probably part of the risk you take. Hope this helps.

07/24/2007, 04:41 PM	#9
kevin2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,805	Take a tablespoon of the sand and place it in a glass container .. then add some vinegar ... if it "bubbles" then you have some aragonite sand often sold under the "southdown" label which is very difficult to find these days. A quick rinse and your sand s/b fine.

07/24/2007, 05:25 PM	#11
kevin2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,805	Well if your visiting the West Coast put some in your trunk and drop by ... trade you for BBQ & Beer.

07/24/2007, 05:50 PM	#13
jer77 Phish Lover Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,642	I've always wanted to visit the fish stores out your ways. Maybe if we trade room and board for southdown... I'll clean your tanks too, for the beer of course! __________________ - Jonny -, 120g 5 Year Old Reef w/ SPS, BTA, Zoos & some Softies. 40g Frag Tank. 40g Sump. Super Reef Octopus XP 3000 External Cone Skimmer. 250W Radiums. TaoTronics LED. PanWorld 200PS w/SQWD

07/24/2007, 05:58 PM	#14
kevin2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,805	Love to have you but I already have two "college students" who I am trying to get rid of ... but BBQ and Beer are always available at my house.

07/25/2007, 01:30 PM	#15
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Old Castle is Southdown that was marketed a couple of years ago under that new name after the manufacturer of Southdown changed. If you can get it buy some up. There will be reefers in your area that would welcome getting some. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29