Toys R Us Sand - Is it safe?

ChrisKil · 08/29/2007, 02:55 PM

I've read about people using Toys R Us sand in their tanks, so I bought a 50 bag of it to supplement the 100-130# of live sand I got from my LFS. It says on the side of the bag that it is "sanitized."

I was wondering if this means it is treated with some type of antibacterial or other chemical that I wouldn't want to put in my tank.

MalHavoc · 08/29/2007, 03:14 PM

I'd say that it's "probably" fine, but I really don't know. Who knows how it was bagged, or maybe sanitized just means that it was passed through a sieve or something to remove the crud. Caribsea sand is apparently passed around magnets to remove metal particles and stuff.

Keep in mind that the Toys R Us sand is silica sand, if that matters. Aragonite sand has a slight buffering effect on pH, because it does slowly dissolve over time. Silica sand is also not really pure white, if that matters also.

owenb01 · 08/29/2007, 03:17 PM

I wouldn't do it. I used silica sand on a freshwater planted tank and holy sh!t you wouldn't believe the algae. I imagine it would be the same with saltwater, but I don't know; I wouldn't risk it.

bertoni · 08/29/2007, 03:25 PM

Lots of people have been successful with silica sand, including some varieties from Home Depot. I don't know what this sand product contains, though.

Pea-brain · 08/29/2007, 03:31 PM

The Toy R us sand people have been using claims to have no silica.....

Dan

tinmanny · 08/29/2007, 03:50 PM

put a magnet to the sand if you come up with any metal fragments even dust it is no good most sands like that have trace amounts or even more metal from the grinders it is very bad
just put the magnet in the sand and drag it around then lift it out if it comes up with particles the sand is no good
good luck
Manny

ccoral · 08/30/2007, 10:55 AM

why risk it save a few bucks not worth the risk and potential headache.
If you do not want to buy live sand just add reg. #1 or #0 coral sand

ChrisKil · 08/30/2007, 12:59 PM

Do any of the people on RC that are using Toys R Us sand know if this is the same sand you put in your tanks?

krikor · 08/30/2007, 01:13 PM

Ive used sand from home depot in my fresh water tank, i belive it was "high desert sand"

not sure if they are still selling it but it looks and worked great...

ripper139 · 08/30/2007, 02:00 PM

I have similar question, I still have 1 bag of southdown but need more then just 40lbs for my new setup. What sand should I get to add with the southdown?

75Gallons · 08/30/2007, 02:36 PM

I just put 100lbs of Toys R. US sand into my tank that is currently cycling. Mine wasn't that brand of sand though. I saw that at the local homedepot or lowes not sure which one.

75Gallons · 08/30/2007, 02:38 PM

Heres a pic

Hanzo · 08/30/2007, 03:53 PM

Be careful with Playsands. There was a huge uproar in the past regarding silica dust exposure to children playing in sand boxes. The market responded by selling "play sand" that does not contain any silica. Now that may sound great for those who don't want silica sand in there tanks.

Here is the bad news. Instead of silica, the producers of some of these play sands are putting in other substances that have a high percentage of metals. These may not be the best for your tank inhabitants.

Bottom line. Be sure to check the MSDS (material safety data sheet) from the manufacturer. They are required to list all the ingredients above 1% on the sheet. Be you know what you are putting in your tank.

75Gallons · 08/30/2007, 03:54 PM

Hanzo your going to give me nightmares!

ripper139 · 08/31/2007, 01:49 PM

does anyone have a suggestion on what to mix with the southdown that I have??? Even if its from an aquarium supplier and somewhat pricey. I would rather be safe then sorry

Thinslis · 08/31/2007, 02:59 PM

If you would rather be safe then sorry go to your local respected Reef store and say "I need sand xlbs of sand" They will give you Aquarium approved sand.

Thinslis · 08/31/2007, 03:00 PM

I just today picked up 200lbs of Toys R Us sand, however it appears to be regional because the sand I got was different then any pictured so far... hmm....

savethereef · 08/31/2007, 03:34 PM

get some of the sand and pour some vinegar over it if it bubbles up it has silica but if it does not fiz its not silica.
Me personaly i would just go with reef sand. If you use silica you are going to go thru some bad blooms and ur oh would not be as stable as aragonite

tinmanny · 08/31/2007, 03:42 PM

this sounds so scarey that why go with anything but reef sand the end justifys the means.
I use reef sand and never sad about it
good luck
Manny

Captain Bucket · 08/31/2007, 03:54 PM

Perhaps apropos of nothing, chriskil's dilemma reminded me of this alarming (or perhaps alarmist) Honolulu Advertiser article; "Isle concrete suppliers forced to import sand"

Captain Bucket · 08/31/2007, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by savethereef
get some of the sand and pour some vinegar over it if it bubbles up it has silica but if it does not fiz its not silica.

I think you're wrong there STR. Bubbling w/vinegar which is acidic would indicate something is basic probably calcium laden like coral or beach sand. Silica, which is what glass is made of (glass is used to store acid and chemicals) would not react.

08/29/2007, 03:14 PM	#2
MalHavoc Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 10,850	I'd say that it's "probably" fine, but I really don't know. Who knows how it was bagged, or maybe sanitized just means that it was passed through a sieve or something to remove the crud. Caribsea sand is apparently passed around magnets to remove metal particles and stuff. Keep in mind that the Toys R Us sand is silica sand, if that matters. Aragonite sand has a slight buffering effect on pH, because it does slowly dissolve over time. Silica sand is also not really pure white, if that matters also. __________________ Jason "Empathy, he once had decided, must be limited to herbivores or anyhow omnivores who could depart from a meat diet. Because, ultimately, the empathic gift blurred the boundaries between hunter and victim, between the successful and the defeated." -- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K Dick

08/29/2007, 03:25 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Lots of people have been successful with silica sand, including some varieties from Home Depot. I don't know what this sand product contains, though. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

08/29/2007, 03:50 PM	#6
tinmanny Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 235	put a magnet to the sand if you come up with any metal fragments even dust it is no good most sands like that have trace amounts or even more metal from the grinders it is very bad just put the magnet in the sand and drag it around then lift it out if it comes up with particles the sand is no good good luck Manny __________________ Manny Current Tank Info: 90 40 30

08/30/2007, 12:59 PM	#8
ChrisKil Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ruston, LA Posts: 152	Do any of the people on RC that are using Toys R Us sand know if this is the same sand you put in your tanks? __________________ Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Show a man a reef tank, bankrupt him for life. Current Tank Info: 125g mixed reef w/ 30g sump Last edited by ChrisKil; 08/30/2007 at 01:42 PM.

08/30/2007, 01:13 PM	#9
krikor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Southern Philly Burbs Posts: 452	Ive used sand from home depot in my fresh water tank, i belive it was "high desert sand" not sure if they are still selling it but it looks and worked great... __________________ Yes, Krikor is my real name... DVRC Respect _____________________________ Current Tank Info: Taking it Slow

08/29/2007, 02:55 PM	#1
ChrisKil Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ruston, LA Posts: 152	Toys R Us Sand - Is it safe? I've read about people using Toys R Us sand in their tanks, so I bought a 50 bag of it to supplement the 100-130# of live sand I got from my LFS. It says on the side of the bag that it is "sanitized." I was wondering if this means it is treated with some type of antibacterial or other chemical that I wouldn't want to put in my tank.

08/29/2007, 03:17 PM	#3
owenb01 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Memphrica, TN Posts: 223	I wouldn't do it. I used silica sand on a freshwater planted tank and holy sh!t you wouldn't believe the algae. I imagine it would be the same with saltwater, but I don't know; I wouldn't risk it.

08/29/2007, 03:31 PM	#5
Pea-brain Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Vassalboro, ME Posts: 1,661	The Toy R us sand people have been using claims to have no silica..... Dan

08/30/2007, 10:55 AM	#7
ccoral Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 468	why risk it save a few bucks not worth the risk and potential headache. If you do not want to buy live sand just add reg. #1 or #0 coral sand

08/30/2007, 02:00 PM	#10
ripper139 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: NEW JERSEY Posts: 56	I have similar question, I still have 1 bag of southdown but need more then just 40lbs for my new setup. What sand should I get to add with the southdown?

08/30/2007, 02:36 PM	#11
75Gallons Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 239	I just put 100lbs of Toys R. US sand into my tank that is currently cycling. Mine wasn't that brand of sand though. I saw that at the local homedepot or lowes not sure which one.

08/30/2007, 02:38 PM	#12
75Gallons Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 239	Heres a pic

08/30/2007, 03:53 PM	#13
Hanzo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 41	Be careful with Playsands. There was a huge uproar in the past regarding silica dust exposure to children playing in sand boxes. The market responded by selling "play sand" that does not contain any silica. Now that may sound great for those who don't want silica sand in there tanks. Here is the bad news. Instead of silica, the producers of some of these play sands are putting in other substances that have a high percentage of metals. These may not be the best for your tank inhabitants. Bottom line. Be sure to check the MSDS (material safety data sheet) from the manufacturer. They are required to list all the ingredients above 1% on the sheet. Be you know what you are putting in your tank.

08/30/2007, 03:54 PM	#14
75Gallons Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 239	Hanzo your going to give me nightmares!

08/31/2007, 01:49 PM	#15
ripper139 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: NEW JERSEY Posts: 56	does anyone have a suggestion on what to mix with the southdown that I have??? Even if its from an aquarium supplier and somewhat pricey. I would rather be safe then sorry

08/31/2007, 02:59 PM	#16
Thinslis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Madison, Ohio Posts: 1,658	If you would rather be safe then sorry go to your local respected Reef store and say "I need sand xlbs of sand" They will give you Aquarium approved sand. __________________ -B Current Tank Info: 40g breeder, ER-RS80, MP40w, 250w + 2xT5

08/31/2007, 03:00 PM	#17
Thinslis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Madison, Ohio Posts: 1,658	I just today picked up 200lbs of Toys R Us sand, however it appears to be regional because the sand I got was different then any pictured so far... hmm.... __________________ -B Current Tank Info: 40g breeder, ER-RS80, MP40w, 250w + 2xT5

08/31/2007, 03:34 PM	#18
savethereef SCRK Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bellflower 90706 CA (So Cal) Posts: 7,720	get some of the sand and pour some vinegar over it if it bubbles up it has silica but if it does not fiz its not silica. Me personaly i would just go with reef sand. If you use silica you are going to go thru some bad blooms and ur oh would not be as stable as aragonite __________________ Instead of building a reef in my home i would rather build my home in the reef. Rob aka STR SCRK & SCMAS MEMBER Current Tank Info: Leemar 450g 96L x36W x 30T 3/4 inch Starfire With 70g Sump Vertex 250 Royal Exclusive protein Skimmer Laguna 2900 Return pump 5 Aquaillumination Hydra's LED Modules. 4 Tunze Stream Bubble Magus Doser. Reef Keeper Elite

08/31/2007, 03:42 PM	#19
tinmanny Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 235	this sounds so scarey that why go with anything but reef sand the end justifys the means. I use reef sand and never sad about it good luck Manny __________________ Manny Current Tank Info: 90 40 30

08/31/2007, 03:54 PM	#20
Captain Bucket Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Volcano in the Pacific Posts: 128	Perhaps apropos of nothing, chriskil's dilemma reminded me of this alarming (or perhaps alarmist) Honolulu Advertiser article; "Isle concrete suppliers forced to import sand" __________________ I has a bucket Current Tank Info: 125 gal. glass long, 55 gal fuge w/chaeto & LR, Frankenskimmer, Sequence Dart return, ghetto coast to coast overflow, Watts RO unit, 32 gal. QT w/eclipse hood, sponge filter and magnum 350