what type of sand?

[ezhoops]

I'm trying to figure out what type of sand to use? I know I want one that will buffer but I also want something inexpensive. So I was looking at HD and they had washed play sand in a blue bag but it said that is shouldn't be used in aquariums and that it contained some amounts of silica. they had 2 different types and both had the silica warning. Please advise on where and which cheap sand to purchase.

thank you

[Crazy4Coral]

when starting a reef tank the last thing you want to do is go cheap. I wouldnt use playground sand. How much are looking to spend?

[Sisterlimonpot]

If you want a sand to help with buffering the PH get some coral sand or something with aragonite, it will buffer. As for playground sand I used it and it worked fine, however it's not as pretty as most sands but it was cheap.

[ezhoops]

I've used a mix of playground sand and live sand before with good results but did have to add kalk and did have a algae problem.

[Sisterlimonpot]

well I never had a major algae problem but I also dose carbon so that might have a lot to do with it.

[Michael]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15676112#post15676112 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ezhoops
I'm trying to figure out what type of sand to use? I know I want one that will buffer but I also want something inexpensive. So I was looking at HD and they had washed play sand in a blue bag but it said that is shouldn't be used in aquariums and that it contained some amounts of silica. they had 2 different types and both had the silica warning. Please advise on where and which cheap sand to purchase.

thank you

a medium grade aragonite sand is a very good choice :)

[PRDubois]

Dry medium grade aragonite sand from petco

[Playa-1]

Crushed Marble might be worth looking into.

[Sisterlimonpot]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15677946#post15677946 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Playa-1
Crushed Marble might be worth looking into. Playa, does the marble buffer?