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biggredd
02/14/2007, 04:56 PM
Is it ok to use regular play sand in a fish only tank?

I know I've read that you have to make sure it's a particular type of sand that if you drop vinegar and it fizzles its ok or something. I'm thinking of buying someones tank and it has a crushed coral and rock/shell substrate. I'm looking to keep this one cheap. Would that be ok or does it not matter if it's reef or fish only, does it still have to be that arogonite sand or whatever it is?

T-T-Trigger
02/14/2007, 05:52 PM
it should be okay, i have used the 'quikrete play sand' from home depot I just didn't like the color - looked like mud to me once it was wet. some people say they are varying shades though. really, really, wash it before you use it. full of dust and shouldn't go straight in.

clekchau
02/14/2007, 05:57 PM
pavestone pulverized limestone is used in many aquariums in my area and is very cheap, like $5 for 50 lbs

jksteele010
02/14/2007, 11:55 PM
If you can, get the medium grade sand, Its much easier to clean and doesn't quite look like mud once wet.

Andrew
02/15/2007, 09:21 AM
I've used it before but not a fan of it....

berniekyle
02/15/2007, 02:03 PM
not a fan but should be okay...........that is if you dont mind mud in your tank

stykthyn
02/16/2007, 12:59 AM
what size tank is it?

biggredd
02/16/2007, 09:40 AM
58 gallon tank. It's deeper than wider, it's not a 4 foot wide tank.

the other tang
02/16/2007, 10:39 AM
I use it in a dsb and have had no issues, I believe it to be completely safe. As for the crushed coral beware it will be a nitrate factory. You didn't state your plans to keep it or get rid of it. I had it in a fowlr and battled 80ppm+ nitrates regardless of what I did to lower them, I changed the substrate to sand when i moved and the immediately dropped.

biggredd
02/16/2007, 11:33 AM
I plan to sell it.

rayman45
02/16/2007, 10:36 PM
RINCE IT .......... CANT STRESS ENUF... I HAD A DESASTER BECAUSE OF NOT RINCING...`

cdentii1
02/17/2007, 03:00 PM
I understand that pool filter sand is fairly inexpensive and very little need for rinsing and have heard of reports that the coloration is much better.

chriswtx
02/17/2007, 10:25 PM
I agree, RINCE IT well. I just did 150lbs of it today. Rinced each bag of sand in a large 30gal plastic tub about 6 times before the water finally became clear...

the other tang
02/19/2007, 10:11 AM
It might be a good idea to run a magnet through it too, you will ofter get a ton of metal fragments. Other times you will get none, better safe than sorry.

jda
02/19/2007, 12:11 PM
I would mix in 1 bag of aragonite just in case your PH should begin to wander. The price of a bag of aragonite is a lot cheaper than the price of crashed tank or sick fish if the PH was to get out of whack.

TitansFan
02/19/2007, 05:40 PM
Don't worry about the dropping PH. At the PH aragonite needs to dissolve and raise PH everything would already be dead. That is why CO2 has to be used in calcium reactors to lower the PH enough to allow aragonite substances to dissolve.

jda
02/20/2007, 08:59 AM
The PH in the sandbed is already lower than the tank because of the bacterial populations doing their business. It stays lower than the tankwater PH all of the time. When the tank PH drops, so does the sandbed which is low enough to dissolve aragonite and buffer the water. Sandbeds do dissolve over time - even in tank with a watercolumn PH at 8.1 to 8.3. Besides, aragonite will start to dissolve at 7.7-7.8 in small amounts.

Aragonite isn't necessary, but it is a good insurance policy.

TropTrea
02/20/2007, 11:27 AM
There are loads of different products sold as pool filter sand. Anything from nearly clear silicate sand, A nearly pure white silicate sand, to a deep redish brown flint. Besides the ddifferent materials there are also different sizes of particals. So before just jumping into filter sand watch what is in the bag so you don't get surprised.

Dennis


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9266526#post9266526 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cdentii1
I understand that pool filter sand is fairly inexpensive and very little need for rinsing and have heard of reports that the coloration is much better.

ahuxman58
02/20/2007, 06:28 PM
I bought some also and returned it before I opened it not a good thing in my opinion

kl3377
02/20/2007, 09:09 PM
Check out KolorScape Playsand at WalMart. Pretty white, reacts with vinegar (I think it is a mix of argonite and silica), and the texture is fine.