New tank Silica sand as Live Sand

fishwonder · 03/29/2009, 07:02 PM

I am brand new to salt water aquarium. I am setting up 55 gl tank and 55 refugium. I read the thread live sand & refugium at this forum. I am still not sure about HD sand. Can I put Home Depot silica sand to the tank and the refugium as LS? It 's Silica sand. Thanks for your answer.

addicted4life · 03/29/2009, 09:24 PM

I would never do that.

What could be in the silica sand ? Do you really want to find out the hard way ?

I would only go with new sand too, wouldn't want to trust old used sand.

Of course that's just my opinion, I am fortunate enough to have a great LFS that carries just about any sand you could ever want.

metal1971 · 03/29/2009, 10:11 PM

I would'nt , you will ean up with non stop algae and diatom blooms.

TellyFish · 03/29/2009, 10:18 PM

Will be constantly browned out with algae, IMO. Not sure if it also leaches the silicates into the water?

Go with an aggregate sand.

fishwonder · 03/30/2009, 01:21 AM

Thanks for your help to answer my question. I wil not put silica sand in the refugium.

03/29/2009, 07:02 PM	#1
fishwonder Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 92	New tank Silica sand as Live Sand I am brand new to salt water aquarium. I am setting up 55 gl tank and 55 refugium. I read the thread live sand & refugium at this forum. I am still not sure about HD sand. Can I put Home Depot silica sand to the tank and the refugium as LS? It 's Silica sand. Thanks for your answer.

03/29/2009, 09:24 PM	#2
addicted4life Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Indy Posts: 149	I would never do that. What could be in the silica sand ? Do you really want to find out the hard way ? I would only go with new sand too, wouldn't want to trust old used sand. Of course that's just my opinion, I am fortunate enough to have a great LFS that carries just about any sand you could ever want. __________________ Brian Current Tank Info: 180 reef, T5 x 8, 40g frag tank T5 x 6, 50g sump, G3, Apex surfing 6100's

03/29/2009, 10:18 PM	#4
TellyFish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Chicago 60607 Posts: 1,130	Will be constantly browned out with algae, IMO. Not sure if it also leaches the silicates into the water? Go with an aggregate sand. __________________ ...and life spirals into astonishing diversity. Current Tank Info: Hawaiian inspired 109g Miracles Rimless - 100g Prop Tank - 300g total system volume

03/30/2009, 01:21 AM	#5
fishwonder Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 92	Thanks Thanks for your help to answer my question. I wil not put silica sand in the refugium.

03/29/2009, 10:11 PM	#3
metal1971 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: East Hampton ct. Posts: 94	I would'nt , you will ean up with non stop algae and diatom blooms.