All you EVER wanted to know about Southdown - Page 38

an411 · 03/27/2007, 10:37 AM

yeah its ridiculous how much they want for sand. There is got to be a cheaper way to get sand. Anybody in the CT area want to buy in bulk I need about 120 lb's

WaterKeeper · 03/27/2007, 11:04 AM

The original mining source for Southdown/New Castle was Marcona Ocean Industries. The mined it in the Bahamas. I think they folded but AragoniteSource.com indicates they still market it in bulk. You might try contacting them.

an411 · 03/27/2007, 11:25 AM

I will try that cause I do not want to pay a dollar a pound for live sand and I went to HD yesterday and all they had was quickrete sand which i didnt think would work to well.

Snarkys · 03/27/2007, 01:52 PM

bulk means truck load , hope you have a bunch of friends : )

an411 · 03/27/2007, 02:01 PM

Not that want sand

I guess I could build a sand box with the rest. LOL

WaterKeeper · 03/27/2007, 02:21 PM

"If you bag it they will come."

You might contact Ct Area Reef Club and find many others that would help deplete that truckload if the price is good on the bulk shipment.

anthamm93 · 03/27/2007, 05:15 PM

how do u do a vinegear test on sand

anthamm93 · 03/27/2007, 05:17 PM

can someone post a pick of the bag

WaterKeeper · 03/27/2007, 05:22 PM

Just pour undiluted vinegar on the sand. If it rigorously fizzes and continues to do so it is probably aragonite. What bag did you want a pic of (maybe he means my ex) ?

anthamm93 · 03/27/2007, 05:27 PM

of what bag southdown is or silicate sand bag

WaterKeeper · 03/27/2007, 05:55 PM

Sorry but all the pics of Southdown Tropical Play Sand vanished after it was no longer made. Here is what the Yardright sand looked like

and it was very similar to Southdown in bag appearance as was OldCastle. Alas, none is found anymore unless it is from an old inventory.

anthamm93 · 03/27/2007, 09:16 PM

is the yardright still found or no

WaterKeeper · 03/27/2007, 09:18 PM

Not that I know of.

revclyburn · 03/27/2007, 09:57 PM

Here's the way it looked before it's demise:

Long live the king of sand

rev

WaterKeeper · 03/28/2007, 09:19 AM

Notice how similar the packages are. Also, the Old Castle looks like that. Probably due to Marcona being the packager of all.

juststartingout · 05/26/2007, 05:12 PM

Wow, this is an old thread!

I just placed some Southdown into my 450 (yes, I had been sitting on this stuff for a few years) I cannot believe the ongoing "duststorm". I have a layer of what I would call silt in my sump, it looks the same as say, drywall compound dust. I have been running 100 micron filter socks to try and clean this up. Will it ever end? what has been your experience with this sand?

Grumpy Vet · 05/26/2007, 05:17 PM

It will end....scoop out the foam....change the socks.

It will end - I promise.....good luck on your tank.

revclyburn · 05/26/2007, 09:47 PM

aaaaahhhhh the good old days of cloudy tank syndrome, not wanting to move a thing because it would cause a dust storm. Waiting, and waiting, and waiting for it to pass, then one day, it was gone, and life was great again. AHHHHHH the good old days

revclyburn

WaterKeeper · 05/27/2007, 12:38 PM

The real secret to having it settle down is flocculation. That is, when bacteria coat the sand and extrude a sticky glue. This causes the sand particles to stick together and weighs them down.

Adding some LR or true LS will help in this respect as it provides the bacteria cultures that will colonize the sand. Even so it takes a week or two, at least, before the sand develops a coating. Although a filter can clear the water until the sand develops a living skin almost any movement will cause a sandstorm.

You really want the fines in the bed as they are important in bed movement. That is why it is better to wait out the cloudy period than to wash the sand before use.

BTW--Hey Vet, how be you?

Radicaljbr · 05/28/2007, 06:10 PM

I just moved my 120 pounds of south down to my new home and it is sitting in two trash cans from my old tank.

I plan on re-using it as is. I am sure it will cause a cycle to start from stearing it from the move. But, it is worth not having to pay a ton for new sand.

It smelled OK, so I am hopeful that it will be fine after time.

Any thoughts?

WaterKeeper · 05/29/2007, 09:23 AM

I see no problem in the move. There will be some die-off as the temperature may fluctuate. Heat some SW, just enough to cover the bed in the trash cans, to the display tanks pending temperature. Dump the transport water and use the SW you heated to the proper temp to fill the trash cans. After about two days check ammonia and nitrite levels. If they are OK then the sand is ready for the display tank.

If the readings show ammonia or nitrite then again dump the water and replace with some freshly made SW. Give it a couple more days and then check it again for ANN (Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate).

asnatlas · 05/29/2007, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Snarkys
bulk means truck load , hope you have a bunch of friends : )

Quote:

No matter the quantity your project requirements call for:

They state right on their site, no matter the quantity... I would contact them and see, you never know...

WaterKeeper · 05/29/2007, 10:00 AM

Shawn,

Have them dump a truckload at your house. There are tons of Ohio reefers that will stop by to pick some up.

Fizz71 · 05/29/2007, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by WaterKeeper
The real secret to having it settle down is flocculation.

Now you're just making words up.

flocculation eh? I need to remember that..I knew that it happened, just didn't know what it was called.

And for you folks that skimmed like mad or ran filter socks or changed water...I did nothing. I just waited for everything to flocculate.

I did have to hit the LR with a turkey baste every day or so to keep the settled flocculent off! It's all about patience when it comes to reef systems.

--Fizz

..man..even the RC spellchecker knew that word.

snulma1 · 05/29/2007, 03:24 PM

My science teacher once told me that he flocculated in his wine to get rid of the sediment, and I swore I would never drink his wine...Dirty old man!!!!

I lived in MD and drove 2.5 hrs to a guy in DE who was selling his last 3 bags of Southdown. I paid 50 for those bags and only used 2 and held onto 1. Its been 3 yrs and I FINALLY got to use that bag when I set up my 20! And it was sooo worth it! That white sand makes everything look better!

03/27/2007, 11:04 AM	#927
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	The original mining source for Southdown/New Castle was Marcona Ocean Industries. The mined it in the Bahamas. I think they folded but AragoniteSource.com indicates they still market it in bulk. You might try contacting them. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

03/27/2007, 01:52 PM	#929
Snarkys RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 3,516	bulk means truck load , hope you have a bunch of friends : ) __________________ Ryan B BRSTV & 52 Weeks of Reefing

03/27/2007, 02:21 PM	#931
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	*"If you bag it they will come."* You might contact Ct Area Reef Club and find many others that would help deplete that truckload if the price is good on the bulk shipment. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

03/27/2007, 05:22 PM	#934
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Just pour undiluted vinegar on the sand. If it rigorously fizzes and continues to do so it is probably aragonite. What bag did you want a pic of (maybe he means my ex) ? __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

03/27/2007, 05:55 PM	#936
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Sorry but all the pics of Southdown Tropical Play Sand vanished after it was no longer made. Here is what the Yardright sand looked like and it was very similar to Southdown in bag appearance as was OldCastle. Alas, none is found anymore unless it is from an old inventory. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

03/27/2007, 10:37 AM	#926
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	yeah its ridiculous how much they want for sand. There is got to be a cheaper way to get sand. Anybody in the CT area want to buy in bulk I need about 120 lb's

03/27/2007, 11:25 AM	#928
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	I will try that cause I do not want to pay a dollar a pound for live sand and I went to HD yesterday and all they had was quickrete sand which i didnt think would work to well.

03/27/2007, 02:01 PM	#930
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	Not that want sand I guess I could build a sand box with the rest. LOL

03/27/2007, 05:15 PM	#932
anthamm93 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: fresno,ca Posts: 104	how do u do a vinegear test on sand

03/27/2007, 05:17 PM	#933
anthamm93 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: fresno,ca Posts: 104	can someone post a pick of the bag

03/27/2007, 05:27 PM	#935
anthamm93 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: fresno,ca Posts: 104	of what bag southdown is or silicate sand bag

03/27/2007, 09:16 PM	#937
anthamm93 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: fresno,ca Posts: 104	is the yardright still found or no

03/27/2007, 09:18 PM	#938
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Not that I know of. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

03/27/2007, 09:57 PM	#939
revclyburn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Neptune, N.J. Posts: 1,853	Here's the way it looked before it's demise: Long live the king of sand rev __________________ " In our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God" Robert F. Kennedy Current Tank Info: One day I'll get it right. 55 Gallon, reef, softies, gorgorians, ricordia, EVENTUALLY!

03/28/2007, 09:19 AM	#940
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Notice how similar the packages are. Also, the Old Castle looks like that. Probably due to Marcona being the packager of all. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

05/26/2007, 05:12 PM	#941
juststartingout Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Chicago area Posts: 828	Wow, this is an old thread! I just placed some Southdown into my 450 (yes, I had been sitting on this stuff for a few years) I cannot believe the ongoing "duststorm". I have a layer of what I would call silt in my sump, it looks the same as say, drywall compound dust. I have been running 100 micron filter socks to try and clean this up. Will it ever end? what has been your experience with this sand? __________________ "Ability will never catch up with the demand for it."-- Malcolm Forbes Current Tank Info: diy 500 gallon glass tank, XP5000E Skimmer, Ozone, DIY 150 gal sump, 114wt UV, 3 LuninarcIII's w/ Reeflux 12k's, 4) four bulb Tek Elite T5's, Apex Control

05/26/2007, 05:17 PM	#942
Grumpy Vet Reefer Join Date: May 2001 Location: Ellicott City, MD Posts: 282	It will end....scoop out the foam....change the socks. It will end - I promise.....good luck on your tank.

05/26/2007, 09:47 PM	#943
revclyburn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Neptune, N.J. Posts: 1,853	aaaaahhhhh the good old days of cloudy tank syndrome, not wanting to move a thing because it would cause a dust storm. Waiting, and waiting, and waiting for it to pass, then one day, it was gone, and life was great again. AHHHHHH the good old days revclyburn __________________ " In our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God" Robert F. Kennedy Current Tank Info: One day I'll get it right. 55 Gallon, reef, softies, gorgorians, ricordia, EVENTUALLY!

05/27/2007, 12:38 PM	#944
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	The real secret to having it settle down is flocculation. That is, when bacteria coat the sand and extrude a sticky glue. This causes the sand particles to stick together and weighs them down. Adding some LR or true LS will help in this respect as it provides the bacteria cultures that will colonize the sand. Even so it takes a week or two, at least, before the sand develops a coating. Although a filter can clear the water until the sand develops a living skin almost any movement will cause a sandstorm. You really want the fines in the bed as they are important in bed movement. That is why it is better to wait out the cloudy period than to wash the sand before use. BTW--Hey Vet, how be you? __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

05/28/2007, 06:10 PM	#945
Radicaljbr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hudson, Ohio Posts: 1,293	I just moved my 120 pounds of south down to my new home and it is sitting in two trash cans from my old tank. I plan on re-using it as is. I am sure it will cause a cycle to start from stearing it from the move. But, it is worth not having to pay a ton for new sand. It smelled OK, so I am hopeful that it will be fine after time. Any thoughts?

05/29/2007, 09:23 AM	#946
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	I see no problem in the move. There will be some die-off as the temperature may fluctuate. Heat some SW, just enough to cover the bed in the trash cans, to the display tanks pending temperature. Dump the transport water and use the SW you heated to the proper temp to fill the trash cans. After about two days check ammonia and nitrite levels. If they are OK then the sand is ready for the display tank. If the readings show ammonia or nitrite then again dump the water and replace with some freshly made SW. Give it a couple more days and then check it again for ANN (Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate). __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

05/29/2007, 10:00 AM	#948
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Shawn, Have them dump a truckload at your house. There are tons of Ohio reefers that will stop by to pick some up. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

05/29/2007, 03:24 PM	#950
snulma1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,281	My science teacher once told me that he flocculated in his wine to get rid of the sediment, and I swore I would never drink his wine...Dirty old man!!!! I lived in MD and drove 2.5 hrs to a guy in DE who was selling his last 3 bags of Southdown. I paid 50 for those bags and only used 2 and held onto 1. Its been 3 yrs and I FINALLY got to use that bag when I set up my 20! And it was sooo worth it! That white sand makes everything look better!