Sand Question

[Plasma]

Well after about 7 years I'm building a new tank and I'd like to finally put some sand in this weekend.

I almost hate myself for asking ('cause I clearly remember the Southdown Home Depot sand craze all those years ago) but does anybody have a link or a comment on the most recent conventional wisdom on what you can or shouldn't put in your tank?

I'd like to use just sterilized, white, playsand...are there any new thoughts on the subject?

Thanks in advance,
Plasma

[sk8rreefgeek]

As far as I know (or have heard) its fine to use that stuff, just get at least SOME live sand to get it going

[Snapper66]

I bought 100 Pounds of Sand from Lowes and put in my new/used 135 Gallon Tank.I used my old Sand from two 55 Gallon Tanks to Seed it no Issues from the Sand.Had a problem with the Mixing of Fish but no Sand Issues at All.:)

[Quis]

Snapper66 what brand of sand did you buy?

[Snapper66]

:) I Bought paver Sand.

[Scuba_Steve]

It is called pavestone pulverized limestone. Same qualities as aragonite sand, but its about $3 for 50lbs. Its in a brown paper bag in the garden section of home depot.

[Largo50]

Pulverized limestone is mostly calcite. While calcite and aragonite are both calcium carbonate they have different properties. The most important of which in an aquarium is that aragonite has better solubility and buffering capacity than calcite and is much preferred for corals.

If you are just keeping fish then it doesn't matter.