Getting fed up searching for sand!

grimlykindo · 01/12/2010, 10:30 AM

I have been scouring my lfs's for argonite sand for my 40B. They all only carry "live" sand which sells for $60 per 40lb bag! I would really like to find some dry sand for cheaper - I know some reptile sand is argonite - can I use this? Anybody else have any ideas on sand? I'm only looking for <50lbs

Sugar Magnolia · 01/12/2010, 10:33 AM

Petco and Petsmart both carry bagged dry aragonite. At least, near me they do.

grimlykindo · 01/12/2010, 10:41 AM

I wouldn't normally take one step into a petsmart or petco but I might have to if they have dry argonite sand! Thanks for the info!

iwishtofish · 01/12/2010, 10:47 AM

I got mine at Drs F&S online. The $5.99 shipping special (ANY weight) is still in effect, and they generally ship very quickly. Also a good time to add that 200g box of salt mix to the order, since it won't increase shipping costs.

rgonzalez · 01/12/2010, 10:58 AM

+1 for Doc Fosters and SMith. It'll save you money since the sand in your area is expensive.

SAZAMA · 01/12/2010, 11:06 AM

use pool filter sand. available at pool and pond stores. for cheap...

grimlykindo · 01/12/2010, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAZAMA

use pool filter sand. available at pool and pond stores. for cheap...

I actually use pool filter sand in my freshwater tanks - I even have an extra bag of white sand laying around. I would love to use it but I thought quartz based sands were a no go for reef tanks? Can anybody confirm this?? Doesn't it leach silicstes into the water column?

lordofthereef · 01/12/2010, 11:53 AM

I was just discussing this in my thread where I ask about making sand from crushed oyster shells. Long story short, the amount of silicone that will leach is negligible. There is some of it freed up, but more of it will not dissolve. The negative aspect is with sandsifters, namely gobies, from the sharpness of the particles, but even that has been reported to be a non-issue by some. If you rinsed the sand out (I am told) it should be pretty good to go.

grimlykindo · 01/12/2010, 12:04 PM

Thanks for your input. I have used pool filter sand for years in my fresh tanks with many sand sifters like Cory catfish with no problems. I don't believe that the sharpness is a issue. I'm more worried about algae and diatom issues. Anybody have first hand experience with quartz sand in a reef tank!

drillsar · 01/12/2010, 12:05 PM

another one for dr fosters smith, there the best

Financial Panth · 01/12/2010, 01:33 PM

Drs F&S should have everything you need. $5.99 shipping, great customer service, and you probably wont have to pay sales tax.

crvz · 01/12/2010, 02:33 PM

+10 for drs foster smith. I've been very happy using them for products such as sand, salt; anything heavy I get through them.

Gary Majchrzak · 01/12/2010, 02:40 PM

there's hundreds of threads where people use pool filter sand as substrate in their reef aquarium HOWEVER as a matter of personal taste I would choose CaribSea Special Grade Seafloor.

DC_40gallon · 01/12/2010, 02:51 PM

Agreed petco or drs foster and smith!

billdogg · 01/12/2010, 04:01 PM

petsmart - $19.99 for #30 - when i set up the DSB in my 120g refugium, I bought the entire columbus, ohio supply!

NirvanaFan · 01/12/2010, 04:29 PM

I used play sand successfully. I am siphoning it out little by little to go bare bottom though.

bmiller1234 · 01/12/2010, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdogg

petsmart - $19.99 for #30 - when i set up the DSB in my 120g refugium, I bought the entire columbus, ohio supply!

I just set up my 100 and bought the pittsburgh pennsylvania supply!!! haha I had to go to four stores. I got 2 bags at first, got excited, next store had none, then the next 2 had one each.

01/12/2010, 10:30 AM	#1
grimlykindo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 78	Getting fed up searching for sand! I have been scouring my lfs's for argonite sand for my 40B. They all only carry "live" sand which sells for $60 per 40lb bag! I would really like to find some dry sand for cheaper - I know some reptile sand is argonite - can I use this? Anybody else have any ideas on sand? I'm only looking for <50lbs

01/12/2010, 10:33 AM	#2
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	Petco and Petsmart both carry bagged dry aragonite. At least, near me they do. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

01/12/2010, 10:58 AM	#5
rgonzalez Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Scottsdale Posts: 892	+1 for Doc Fosters and SMith. It'll save you money since the sand in your area is expensive. __________________ DSA 105 Current Tank Info: 105 DSA

01/12/2010, 11:06 AM	#6
SAZAMA Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northglenn ,Colorado Posts: 639	use pool filter sand. available at pool and pond stores. for cheap... __________________ I enjoy long walks, next to my reef tank...LOVE 303 Current Tank Info: water box

01/12/2010, 11:53 AM	#8
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	I was just discussing this in my thread where I ask about making sand from crushed oyster shells. Long story short, the amount of silicone that will leach is negligible. There is some of it freed up, but more of it will not dissolve. The negative aspect is with sandsifters, namely gobies, from the sharpness of the particles, but even that has been reported to be a non-issue by some. If you rinsed the sand out (I am told) it should be pretty good to go. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

01/12/2010, 10:41 AM	#3
grimlykindo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 78	I wouldn't normally take one step into a petsmart or petco but I might have to if they have dry argonite sand! Thanks for the info!

01/12/2010, 10:47 AM	#4
iwishtofish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 4,949	I got mine at Drs F&S online. The $5.99 shipping special (ANY weight) is still in effect, and they generally ship very quickly. Also a good time to add that 200g box of salt mix to the order, since it won't increase shipping costs.

01/12/2010, 12:04 PM	#9
grimlykindo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 78	Thanks for your input. I have used pool filter sand for years in my fresh tanks with many sand sifters like Cory catfish with no problems. I don't believe that the sharpness is a issue. I'm more worried about algae and diatom issues. Anybody have first hand experience with quartz sand in a reef tank!

01/12/2010, 12:05 PM	#10
drillsar Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West Orange, NJ Posts: 2,838	another one for dr fosters smith, there the best

01/12/2010, 01:33 PM	#11
Financial Panth Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NW burbs of Chicago Posts: 209	Drs F&S should have everything you need. $5.99 shipping, great customer service, and you probably wont have to pay sales tax.

01/12/2010, 02:33 PM	#12
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	+10 for drs foster smith. I've been very happy using them for products such as sand, salt; anything heavy I get through them. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

01/12/2010, 02:40 PM	#13
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	if you do a search there's hundreds of threads where people use pool filter sand as substrate in their reef aquarium HOWEVER as a matter of personal taste I would choose CaribSea Special Grade Seafloor. __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

01/12/2010, 02:51 PM	#14
DC_40gallon Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,474	Agreed petco or drs foster and smith!

01/12/2010, 04:01 PM	#15
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	petsmart - $19.99 for #30 - when i set up the DSB in my 120g refugium, I bought the entire columbus, ohio supply! __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

01/12/2010, 04:29 PM	#16
NirvanaFan Reef Ninja Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 4,280	I used play sand successfully. I am siphoning it out little by little to go bare bottom though.