Playsand?

weap0n_X · 08/08/2006, 03:27 PM

I am getting my 120g tomorrow, and need about 100lbs of sand. What type of sand can I buy from Lowes or Home depot that is safe to put in a reef tank?

Travis L. Stevens · 08/08/2006, 03:29 PM

Here. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=875880

There is discussion of Aragonite sand, Silica Sand, and Pulverized Limestone in that thread as well as links to other threads and sources and even a small discussion on Silicates and the Reef Aquarium.

splateee · 08/08/2006, 04:22 PM

I used pulverized limestone in our FOWLR tank. Looks great. You can find it at Home Depot in the outside Garden area, it is made by Pavestone. It was around $5 for 25lb bag. Im not sure if it is avaiable at every Home Depot.

weap0n_X · 08/08/2006, 05:44 PM

Is it reef safe?

PatrickJ · 08/08/2006, 07:04 PM

if you wanna be cheap, then anything is reef safe.

IMO calcium based sands are best, silca sands scratch the underbellies of many fish and inverts.

Orchids · 08/09/2006, 06:09 AM

Home Depot sells a white sand that says "Pure Carib. Aragonite. I use this for my reef as well as my kids sandbox. It is white and free of chemicals.

reefshadow · 08/09/2006, 08:50 AM

Quote:

silca sands scratch the underbellies of many fish and inverts

Please don't tell my fish and inverts that!

Really though, i've been running silica in a few tanks for years and have never had that problem, I think it's a common myth. Most beaches worldwide are composed of quartz/silica, I don't see any deficit of life there. It's really only a very small percentage of beach sand that is aragonite.

RichConley · 08/09/2006, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PatrickJ
if you wanna be cheap, then anything is reef safe.

IMO calcium based sands are best, silca sands scratch the underbellies of many fish and inverts.

I have silica sand, and a whole bunch of sand sleeping wrasses.

If its not bothering them, its not going to bother anything.

weap0n_X · 08/10/2006, 04:36 PM

So it would be okay for me to use silica sand in my reef tank? Should I mix in some Aragonite sand as well?

Reef_bones · 08/10/2006, 04:42 PM

Only if it makes you feel better about it. One is no better than the other in our tanks environments. I have used both with the same results from each...Happy gobies and nice white sand...

weap0n_X · 08/10/2006, 10:05 PM

Ok, thanks for your help!

08/08/2006, 03:27 PM	#1
weap0n_X Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: N. Virginia Posts: 393	Playsand? I am getting my 120g tomorrow, and need about 100lbs of sand. What type of sand can I buy from Lowes or Home depot that is safe to put in a reef tank?

08/08/2006, 03:29 PM	#2
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	Here. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=875880 There is discussion of Aragonite sand, Silica Sand, and Pulverized Limestone in that thread as well as links to other threads and sources and even a small discussion on Silicates and the Reef Aquarium. __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront

08/08/2006, 07:04 PM	#5
PatrickJ Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Luling, La Posts: 587	if you wanna be cheap, then anything is reef safe. IMO calcium based sands are best, silca sands scratch the underbellies of many fish and inverts. __________________ I skim wet, therefore I am. Current Tank Info: 120 Monster

08/09/2006, 06:09 AM	#6
Orchids Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bordentown, NJ Posts: 219	Home Depot sells a white sand that says "Pure Carib. Aragonite. I use this for my reef as well as my kids sandbox. It is white and free of chemicals. __________________ what can i say....i get it where i can Current Tank Info: 120 gal

08/08/2006, 04:22 PM	#3
splateee Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Flower Mound, Texas Posts: 561	I used pulverized limestone in our FOWLR tank. Looks great. You can find it at Home Depot in the outside Garden area, it is made by Pavestone. It was around $5 for 25lb bag. Im not sure if it is avaiable at every Home Depot.

08/08/2006, 05:44 PM	#4
weap0n_X Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: N. Virginia Posts: 393	Is it reef safe?

08/10/2006, 04:36 PM	#9
weap0n_X Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: N. Virginia Posts: 393	So it would be okay for me to use silica sand in my reef tank? Should I mix in some Aragonite sand as well?

08/10/2006, 04:42 PM	#10
Reef_bones Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: minor hill, tn Posts: 489	Only if it makes you feel better about it. One is no better than the other in our tanks environments. I have used both with the same results from each...Happy gobies and nice white sand...

08/10/2006, 10:05 PM	#11
weap0n_X Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: N. Virginia Posts: 393	Ok, thanks for your help!