Sand??

heyfredyourhat · 09/27/2006, 08:35 PM

We do a lot of sand blasting in our shop, and i was wondering if the finer silica sand we use for blasting would be a good choice for a DSB? Its fairly fine stuff, but not too "dusty", and it is a pretty nice white color....Maybe you guys know what i mean.

Also, we do use the black sand too....Im not sure what its made out of, i know it isnt silica, but could it work also...???

theatrus · 09/27/2006, 08:47 PM

Yup, both of those work fine. Blasting sand makes good sand beds

Just give it a good multiple rinsing session.

johnnybravo234 · 09/27/2006, 08:49 PM

Ive used silica sand in a nano reef and it didnt work well because the granules were so small. It was really easy to stir up and got in the filter. It works but i think youd be much better off with aragonite. I dont know if the sandblasting silica sand would be safe for a tank.

cyberdude47 · 09/27/2006, 10:32 PM

another problem with silica sand is that it leaches silicates and can cause algea blooms, your risk

hahnmeister · 09/27/2006, 11:42 PM

Silica Sand is used for blasting because it has jagged edges. Its pretty much ground up glass... and we may not feel it, but if it gets ingested or passed through the gills of some critters, it will sandblast their sensitive tissues. Its not so well known with saltwater, as its use was discouraged long ago in freshwater tanks. Many fish have died from it. See, arag and crushed coral are smoother under a microscope, and if ingested, are easily broken down by acids. Silica does not. Trust me, if it was that easy, we would all be using it considering how cheap it is.

If you can get your hands on southdown... that is a low cost alternative.

09/27/2006, 08:35 PM	#1
heyfredyourhat Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: BC Canada Posts: 963	Sand?? We do a lot of sand blasting in our shop, and i was wondering if the finer silica sand we use for blasting would be a good choice for a DSB? Its fairly fine stuff, but not too "dusty", and it is a pretty nice white color....Maybe you guys know what i mean. Also, we do use the black sand too....Im not sure what its made out of, i know it isnt silica, but could it work also...???

09/27/2006, 08:47 PM	#2
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	Yup, both of those work fine. Blasting sand makes good sand beds Just give it a good multiple rinsing session. __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

09/27/2006, 08:49 PM	#3
johnnybravo234 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Litchfield County, CT Posts: 771	Ive used silica sand in a nano reef and it didnt work well because the granules were so small. It was really easy to stir up and got in the filter. It works but i think youd be much better off with aragonite. I dont know if the sandblasting silica sand would be safe for a tank.

09/27/2006, 10:32 PM	#4
cyberdude47 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 154	another problem with silica sand is that it leaches silicates and can cause algea blooms, your risk

09/27/2006, 11:42 PM	#5
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Silica Sand is used for blasting because it has jagged edges. Its pretty much ground up glass... and we may not feel it, but if it gets ingested or passed through the gills of some critters, it will sandblast their sensitive tissues. Its not so well known with saltwater, as its use was discouraged long ago in freshwater tanks. Many fish have died from it. See, arag and crushed coral are smoother under a microscope, and if ingested, are easily broken down by acids. Silica does not. Trust me, if it was that easy, we would all be using it considering how cheap it is. If you can get your hands on southdown... that is a low cost alternative.