Play Sand !!!! Is It Safe

sidneybrooksjr · 04/19/2006, 08:38 AM

I've heard of people using play sand from home depot in their tanks. Does it work?

Travis L. Stevens · 04/19/2006, 08:55 AM

Any sand is fine. The only difference in different sand are that some are Silica sand and others are Aragonite sands. Silica sand is fine and most often available. But Aragonite sand will dissolve in lower pH (7.8 and down) and provide Calcium and Alkalinity back to the aquarium. But, you will most likely have something wrong with your aquarium if you have pH that low (either CO2 issues, or issues with Ca and Alk balance). Most important for any sand is the size grains that you use. The smaller the grains the quicker your sandbed can provide anaerobic areas for denitrification. If the sand grain is too small though, then there won't be enough room for flow. It has to be just right or in some cases, a mixture.

DJOfir · 04/19/2006, 09:03 AM

check this thread out it will have answers for the play sand issue.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=824725

CarmieJo · 04/19/2006, 09:08 AM

Here is a mega-long thread about play sand. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...threadid=26193 I have Southdown play sand in my tank. Here is a link to a free podcast http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162 that has a section about using play sand. If you don't have an iPod or MP3 player you can download iTunes for free and listen from your computer.

04/19/2006, 08:38 AM	#1
sidneybrooksjr Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 140	Play Sand !!!! Is It Safe I've heard of people using play sand from home depot in their tanks. Does it work? __________________ eazz Current Tank Info: w/ 75 gallon, LTA, BTA and maroon clown, lemon peel,fiji damsel

04/19/2006, 08:55 AM	#2
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	Any sand is fine. The only difference in different sand are that some are Silica sand and others are Aragonite sands. Silica sand is fine and most often available. But Aragonite sand will dissolve in lower pH (7.8 and down) and provide Calcium and Alkalinity back to the aquarium. But, you will most likely have something wrong with your aquarium if you have pH that low (either CO2 issues, or issues with Ca and Alk balance). Most important for any sand is the size grains that you use. The smaller the grains the quicker your sandbed can provide anaerobic areas for denitrification. If the sand grain is too small though, then there won't be enough room for flow. It has to be just right or in some cases, a mixture. __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront

04/19/2006, 09:03 AM	#3
DJOfir Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Ft. Lauderdale FL Posts: 100	check this thread out it will have answers for the play sand issue. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=824725 __________________ Ofir "In case of a fire, never take the elevator. Walk through life hold your breath and take the steps." Current Tank Info: 55g FOWLR

04/19/2006, 09:08 AM	#4
CarmieJo Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NC Posts: 390	Here is a mega-long thread about play sand. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...threadid=26193 I have Southdown play sand in my tank. Here is a link to a free podcast http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162 that has a section about using play sand. If you don't have an iPod or MP3 player you can download iTunes for free and listen from your computer. __________________ Carmie Only disasters happen fast! Current Tank Info: 54 gal AGA corner tank with a Solaris LED fixture; NanoCube 24