Using silica sand???

Antheliastar · 11/27/2009, 12:49 PM

I read in one of the TOTMs someone used ashtray sand for the DSB. They said it was a good idea and worked out well. Anyone have anything to add to this?

arredondojason · 11/27/2009, 02:21 PM

as far as I understand silica sand is a bad idea it will help you grow cyano like crazy.

jenglish · 11/27/2009, 02:58 PM

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1745738

a couple differing viewpoints weighing in on this thread and a link to an article on how much silicate is available from the sand.

peasofme · 12/02/2009, 04:58 AM

get aragonite sand

Dino · 12/02/2009, 05:22 AM

I've been using silica (sand blasting) sand for years and have never experienced issues that I don't believe I wouldn't have anyway with any other sand. Silica sand is practically the only option around here. You can't buy aragonite unless you were to order it online and have it shipped in. Even silica sand is nearly impossible to come across as nobody will stock it due to lawsuits.

PRDubois · 12/02/2009, 05:59 AM

Silica sand will scratch the glass. get aragonite sand

Beaun · 12/02/2009, 08:03 AM

I have silica based sand from the ocean and have never had issues with it. I also have never had it scratch my glass, not sure where that came from. I like the color and texture of it a lot better.

aries70 · 12/02/2009, 10:11 AM

nothing wrong with silica sand I use it, no problems. people don't like it because it isn't white, big friggin deal

lordofthereef · 12/02/2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRDubois

Silica sand will scratch the glass. get aragonite sand

Chances are the areas the glass will get scratched don't even matter. You can't tell glass is scratched where it is filled with sand. I suppose if you wanted to convert to a bare bottom later it might look bad.

The only bad thing I have really heard about silica sand is that it can shred up sand filtering gobies and other such fish. If you don't have those I don't think there is anything to worry about.

JamesJR · 12/02/2009, 01:44 PM

no reason not to use silica sand.

bertoni · 12/02/2009, 05:01 PM

Silica sand will work perfectly well as long as the grain size is appropriate. It won't release silica for very long, and can't fuel cyanobacterial growth as long as it's clean. It is harder than aragonite, and is more likely to scratch if it gets caught in a algae scraper of some sort.

11/27/2009, 12:49 PM	#1
Antheliastar Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Kansas-3 years now Posts: 3	Using silica sand??? I read in one of the TOTMs someone used ashtray sand for the DSB. They said it was a good idea and worked out well. Anyone have anything to add to this?

11/27/2009, 02:58 PM	#3
jenglish Marquis de Carabas Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 2,523	http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1745738 a couple differing viewpoints weighing in on this thread and a link to an article on how much silicate is available from the sand. __________________ Jeremy Brown liquor never hurt anybody “Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse" Pierre-Simon Laplace I should want to cook him a simple meal, but I shouldn't want to cut into him, to tear the flesh, to wear the flesh, to be born unto new worlds where his flesh becomes my key. Current Tank Info: broken and dry

12/02/2009, 05:22 AM	#5
Dino Freak of Nature Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Finding my way back to the boondocks Posts: 11,048	I've been using silica (sand blasting) sand for years and have never experienced issues that I don't believe I wouldn't have anyway with any other sand. Silica sand is practically the only option around here. You can't buy aragonite unless you were to order it online and have it shipped in. Even silica sand is nearly impossible to come across as nobody will stock it due to lawsuits. __________________ Cody I will love and miss you until the last beat of my heart Harley & Rusty.

12/02/2009, 05:59 AM	#6
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	Silica sand will scratch the glass. get aragonite sand __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

12/02/2009, 08:03 AM	#7
Beaun It's pronounced Bone Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Hampton, NY Posts: 1,967	I have silica based sand from the ocean and have never had issues with it. I also have never had it scratch my glass, not sure where that came from. I like the color and texture of it a lot better. __________________ -Tyler "The only legitimate use of a computer is to play games." -Eugene Jarvis Current Tank Info: None

11/27/2009, 02:21 PM	#2
arredondojason Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 988	as far as I understand silica sand is a bad idea it will help you grow cyano like crazy.

12/02/2009, 04:58 AM	#4
peasofme Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: usa Posts: 1,405	get aragonite sand

12/02/2009, 10:11 AM	#8
aries70 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Plattsburgh, NY Posts: 347	nothing wrong with silica sand I use it, no problems. people don't like it because it isn't white, big friggin deal __________________ Bordem Does Strange Things Current Tank Info: 65G tank, 250W DE, DIY 4" 6 Foot O3 Reactor/ Skimmer , Tunze 6055, Seio P1000/1500

12/02/2009, 01:44 PM	#10
JamesJR Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,733	no reason not to use silica sand. __________________ Just when I thought you couldn't be any dumber you go and do something like this....And totally redeem yourself! Current Tank Info: 20 gallon

12/02/2009, 05:01 PM	#11
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Silica sand will work perfectly well as long as the grain size is appropriate. It won't release silica for very long, and can't fuel cyanobacterial growth as long as it's clean. It is harder than aragonite, and is more likely to scratch if it gets caught in a algae scraper of some sort. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni