Silica Sand, Urban Myth?

tgillespie · 02/01/2006, 04:06 PM

A couple of buddies are setting up a 110 gallon in their new house. One of them has access to 100 lb bags of Washed Silica Sand. After a bit of reading, my opinion is a bit mixed on whether they should use it or not. Silica sand is sand found on the beach if I'm not mistaken. I know that Silica and Aragonite differ, hense this post.

My question is, would you go a head and use the Silica sand? If so, what possible negative side affects will it have? Myth has it that it will produce diatom bloom, but several articles say this is false.

spslover123 · 02/01/2006, 04:12 PM

This is a popular myth, theres no problem with using it. Just make sure its rinsed well

Paintbug · 02/01/2006, 05:10 PM

i use silica sand straight from the bag. ive been going for about 10 months now, the only complaint i have is the color. i really want some bright white sand.

tgillespie · 02/01/2006, 08:10 PM

Thanks for the tips. I will let everyone know if they run into any problems.

xtrstangx · 02/01/2006, 08:17 PM

Silica sand is fine to use in a reef tank.

HippieSmell · 02/01/2006, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Paintbug
i the only complaint i have is the color. i really want some bright white sand.

I agree. Are some silica sands more white than others?

aiber · 02/01/2006, 08:47 PM

I would recommend the aragonite. Silica has metals. IMO

Paintbug · 02/01/2006, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HippieSmell
I agree. Are some silica sands more white than others?

yes theres some thats really white out there i just cant find it LOL

HippieSmell · 02/01/2006, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by aiber
I would recommend the aragonite. Silica has metals. IMO

Silica has metals IYO? Do you have anything to back that up with, or are you just assuming for some reason?

xtrstangx · 02/01/2006, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HippieSmell
Silica has metals IYO? Do you have anything to back that up with, or are you just assuming for some reason?

My guess is that his opinion is a guess.

reefshadow · 02/01/2006, 09:59 PM

Quickrete medium sand is silica based and I have been using it for years with no problem. It is very very white and fine. I also like it 'cause it seems heavier than aragonite, doesn't blow around as much. It comes in a brown paper bag with green lettering, 100 pounds.

Johnsteph10 · 02/01/2006, 10:31 PM

The only downside I have seen mentioned repeatedly is that silicate sand may have sharper edges and may cause problems for sand-sifters, etc. I do not know of any real problems or experiences however.

People used to support aragonite-based sand due to its buffering capacity - however, if your pH gets that low you are in trouble.

Silica-based usually isn't as pretty and can be downright a pain in the tush to wash well...but you end up only paying a few dollars for enough vs. roughly a $1/lb or more for "live" sand.

stingers81 · 02/02/2006, 04:46 PM

I use quikcrete play sand....no problems although I would like to have some nice white sand...if money is not an issue go for aragonite as it will buffer your water also....but if you're tight on cash like some of us here....HD play sand is a nice substitute that will save you ALOT Of $$$

Paintbug · 02/02/2006, 05:45 PM

aragonite will not buffer your tank. well not until the PH drops so low your livestock will probably be dead.

ejmeier · 02/02/2006, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Paintbug
aragonite will not buffer your tank. well not until the PH drops so low your livestock will probably be dead.

Wouldn't that depend on whether or not you use the sand in a DSB or not?

Sure your pH is high on the top, but what is the pH at the BOTTOM of the sandbed? Maybe 4 or 5?

integlikewhoa · 02/02/2006, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by stingers81
if money is not an issue go for aragonite as it will buffer your water also.

I think either will work, but I just hate how people try to stretch that penny so far on a hobby that if you haven't figured it out already costs a lot of money. I personally fell that if you have to ask 30 different people and still get mixed opinions. Then play it safe and go with what you know works. After all im sure youll have alot of money invested somewhere else into the tank.

Nabber86 · 02/02/2006, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Paintbug
aragonite will not buffer your tank. well not until the PH drops so low your livestock will probably be dead.

Uh OH! So if I have a BB tank, my livestock is going to die?

spslover123 · 02/02/2006, 06:34 PM

BB is the answer to your problem

Paintbug · 02/02/2006, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ejmeier
Wouldn't that depend on whether or not you use the sand in a DSB or not?

Sure your pH is high on the top, but what is the pH at the BOTTOM of the sandbed? Maybe 4 or 5?

to a point. if your DSB is functioning correctly the low level oxygen areas will break down the sand and buffer the PH. but i have always been under the impression that that amount would not be sufficient to buffer the entire tank. but im not a DSB expert either

.

DCFix · 02/02/2006, 07:35 PM

What if I were to use quickrete medium silica based sand and have a layer of aragonite on tip? Would that be safe?

Paintbug · 02/02/2006, 07:36 PM

it wouldnt hurt anything but eventually it will all be mixed up anyway

ejmeier · 02/02/2006, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Paintbug
to a point. if your DSB is functioning correctly the low level oxygen areas will break down the sand and buffer the PH. but i have always been under the impression that that amount would not be sufficient to buffer the entire tank. but im not a DSB expert either .

Not sure if it would make a difference either. Its not like the aragonite will just melt away in a few hours, more like a slow diffusion over several months/years.

I think I remember reading in Anthony Calfo's BOCP, when he used DEEP DSBs of ~8" that the aragonite would dissolve and he had to replace the sand over time. I think he said the sandbeds had a half-life of something like 3-5 years? (Can't remember exactly, just that they were in fact dissolving, so I assume they also were buffering the tank to an extent.)

samtheman · 02/02/2006, 07:50 PM

I used silica sand and my grandmother died. Make your own choice.......by by grandma!

Paintbug · 02/02/2006, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ejmeier
Not sure if it would make a difference either. Its not like the aragonite will just melt away in a few hours, more like a slow diffusion over several months/years.

I think I remember reading in Anthony Calfo's BOCP, when he used DEEP DSBs of ~8" that the aragonite would dissolve and he had to replace the sand over time. I think he said the sandbeds had a half-life of something like 3-5 years? (Can't remember exactly, just that they were in fact dissolving, so I assume they also were buffering the tank to an extent.)

like i said im not a DSB expert. nor am i starting the debate about them all over!

all i know is i use silica sand, and i have 4-5" of it in the tank (DSB). and after 10 months i have finally started to see it working! and my PH isnt a problem.

3D-Reef · 02/02/2006, 08:25 PM

The first system I set up included (in the sump) 100lbs of pea gravel (silica sand the size of small marbles) under 100lbs of aggronite.That was about 7 yrs ago with no problems so far with diatoms or any thing like that.
Sponges seem to last longer than my other tank.I have a couple of sponges that are about 6 or 7 yrs old.

02/01/2006, 04:06 PM	#1
tgillespie Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Greeley, CO Posts: 470	Silica Sand, Urban Myth? A couple of buddies are setting up a 110 gallon in their new house. One of them has access to 100 lb bags of Washed Silica Sand. After a bit of reading, my opinion is a bit mixed on whether they should use it or not. Silica sand is sand found on the beach if I'm not mistaken. I know that Silica and Aragonite differ, hense this post. My question is, would you go a head and use the Silica sand? If so, what possible negative side affects will it have? Myth has it that it will produce diatom bloom, but several articles say this is false.

02/01/2006, 05:10 PM	#3
Paintbug Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Stoneville, NC Posts: 6,169	i use silica sand straight from the bag. ive been going for about 10 months now, the only complaint i have is the color. i really want some bright white sand. __________________ Never ask a girl over to see your crabs!! <-Tony-> Current Tank Info: NONE currently

02/01/2006, 08:47 PM	#7
aiber Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Florida Posts: 646	I would recommend the aragonite. Silica has metals. IMO __________________ Albert Current Tank Info: 50 Gall. Cube Reef Tank

02/01/2006, 09:59 PM	#11
reefshadow Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Central Washington Posts: 1,786	Quickrete medium sand is silica based and I have been using it for years with no problem. It is very very white and fine. I also like it 'cause it seems heavier than aragonite, doesn't blow around as much. It comes in a brown paper bag with green lettering, 100 pounds. __________________ All Your Coral Are Belong To Us Current Tank Info: 30 Deep Blue shallow mixed rimless, MP10, Ecoxotic LED's, SCA 301 skimmer.

02/01/2006, 10:31 PM	#12
Johnsteph10 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The South Posts: 2,537	The only downside I have seen mentioned repeatedly is that silicate sand may have sharper edges and may cause problems for sand-sifters, etc. I do not know of any real problems or experiences however. People used to support aragonite-based sand due to its buffering capacity - however, if your pH gets that low you are in trouble. Silica-based usually isn't as pretty and can be downright a pain in the tush to wash well...but you end up only paying a few dollars for enough vs. roughly a $1/lb or more for "live" sand. __________________ John Current Tank Info: None

02/01/2006, 04:12 PM	#2
spslover123 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Northern Va Posts: 164	This is a popular myth, theres no problem with using it. Just make sure its rinsed well

02/01/2006, 08:10 PM	#4
tgillespie Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Greeley, CO Posts: 470	Thanks for the tips. I will let everyone know if they run into any problems.

02/01/2006, 08:17 PM	#5
xtrstangx Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Shawnee, Kansas Posts: 4,568	Silica sand is fine to use in a reef tank.

02/02/2006, 04:46 PM	#13
stingers81 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 393	I use quikcrete play sand....no problems although I would like to have some nice white sand...if money is not an issue go for aragonite as it will buffer your water also....but if you're tight on cash like some of us here....HD play sand is a nice substitute that will save you ALOT Of $$$ __________________ "Success is a Journey, not a Destination". Current Tank Info: 90g, 20g sump,asm g3 skimmer, fowlr, crappy lights

02/02/2006, 05:45 PM	#14
Paintbug Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Stoneville, NC Posts: 6,169	aragonite will not buffer your tank. well not until the PH drops so low your livestock will probably be dead. __________________ Never ask a girl over to see your crabs!! <-Tony-> Current Tank Info: NONE currently

02/02/2006, 06:34 PM	#18
spslover123 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Northern Va Posts: 164	BB is the answer to your problem

02/02/2006, 07:35 PM	#20
DCFix Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Milpitas Posts: 68	What if I were to use quickrete medium silica based sand and have a layer of aragonite on tip? Would that be safe?

02/02/2006, 07:36 PM	#21
Paintbug Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Stoneville, NC Posts: 6,169	it wouldnt hurt anything but eventually it will all be mixed up anyway __________________ Never ask a girl over to see your crabs!! <-Tony-> Current Tank Info: NONE currently

02/02/2006, 07:50 PM	#23
samtheman Moved On Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 605	I used silica sand and my grandmother died. Make your own choice.......by by grandma!

02/02/2006, 08:25 PM	#25
3D-Reef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Wichita,Ks Posts: 602	The first system I set up included (in the sump) 100lbs of pea gravel (silica sand the size of small marbles) under 100lbs of aggronite.That was about 7 yrs ago with no problems so far with diatoms or any thing like that. Sponges seem to last longer than my other tank.I have a couple of sponges that are about 6 or 7 yrs old.