View Full Version : Lowes Bulk Sand
MyBoxOfWater
07/07/2010, 08:54 PM
I was at Lowes the other day buying lumber for a stand and I noticed that they have these huge cloth bags of sand.
The salesman was kind enough to let me take a small bag of it to compare with my reef sand.
I have very fine Bahama sand and I could not tell the difference in them.
Anyone else have any experience with the Lowes sand?
Thanks.....
Steve
in FL its probably aragonite sand and if it passes the vineger test id buy it in a heart beat.
sucks here in Ca we have only silicate based sand
As a matter of fact if it passes the vinegar test ill buy all your sand for shipping me some lol and ill pay for shipping and throw some in for handling
wtildens
07/08/2010, 01:08 AM
whats the vineger test?
iNeedaFix
07/08/2010, 01:24 AM
I agree in fl it should b aragonite sand if it looks like your Bahamas sand. Congrats on the find
Ninjapotamus
07/08/2010, 01:25 AM
drink a gallon of vinegar and if it makes you sick then the sand is not reef safe.
pompeyjohn
07/08/2010, 03:33 AM
whats the vineger test?
I think the idea is that you put some sand in a cup with vinegar. If it bubbles away and gives off carbon dioxide then you can use it. I'd really appreciate someone clarifying this though.
MyBoxOfWater
07/08/2010, 05:14 AM
:uzi:drink a gallon of vinegar and if it makes you sick then the sand is not reef safe.
MyBoxOfWater
07/08/2010, 05:16 AM
I too would like some clarification on the vinegar test.
Kenzy
07/08/2010, 06:07 AM
The vinegar test is that if the sand is calcium based, then when you put some of the sand in vinegar it will dissolve. A silica based sand won't dissolve in vinegar.
MyBoxOfWater
07/08/2010, 10:43 AM
The vinegar test is that if the sand is calcium based, then when you put some of the sand in vinegar it will dissolve. A silica based sand won't dissolve in vinegar.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I want it to disslove and be a calcium based sand, Correct???
MyBoxOfWater
07/08/2010, 10:45 AM
Also, does the type if vinegar matter?
Distilled White...
Apple Cider...
???
KafudaFish
07/08/2010, 10:56 AM
White vinegar is an acid and reacts with the carbonate and the by product is CO2 or carbon dioxide. Basically if it fizzes it is producing the gas.
yep if it bubbles or fizzles its safe to use
I put some oldcastle sand in the vinegar lid and put a few drops in and there was nothing. no good.
MyBoxOfWater
07/08/2010, 12:41 PM
Man I hope this works..... I would guess it around 500 lbs for $30
EMUReef
07/08/2010, 12:55 PM
Man I hope this works..... I would guess it around 500 lbs for $30
from what i have read around this forum, sand like that from lowes/home depot isn't really any good.
But i would be curious to see how your test turns out.
serpentman
07/08/2010, 01:19 PM
If it passes the acid/vinegar test, I wouldn't hesitate to use it. I'd just be sure to rinse it good to remove any debris.
Nwest
08/04/2010, 11:14 AM
Well did it work? Did you do the vinegar test on it?
RVANANO
08/04/2010, 11:39 AM
drink a gallon of vinegar and if it makes you sick then the sand is not reef safe.
I lold
JeF4y
08/04/2010, 01:16 PM
1. Is known safe / reef-grade sand *THAT* expensive?
2. You're looking for 500# of sand, so one could assume a relatively large setup (i.e. 200+ gal) and you can afford that but not sand?
3. You live in *FLORIDA* if you're that conservative on the credit card, grab a shovel and walk out your door.
1. Is known safe / reef-grade sand *THAT* expensive?
2. You're looking for 500# of sand, so one could assume a relatively large setup (i.e. 200+ gal) and you can afford that but not sand?
3. You live in *FLORIDA* if you're that conservative on the credit card, grab a shovel and walk out your door.
at close to a buck a gallon out here in Ca that $30 for sand is the only way I would fly
MyBoxOfWater
08/04/2010, 05:34 PM
No it did not work....... failed the vinegar test.
I guess i don't have the DEEP pockets like JeF4y thinks you have to have to do a large tank. And then again, maybe I am just frugal enough to check things out rather than just blow a bunch of cash.
JeF4y
08/04/2010, 06:07 PM
Sorry, I didn't mean to be dickish.
I just don't understand how people can spend thousands of dollars on setups (and let's face it, even a 50 can run thousands of dollars) only to have some short-cut come back and bite them later.
At the end of the day, $80 for sand in my 60 was well worth my piece of mind knowing I wasn't going to have some weird silicate problem or some other contaminant that I didn't calculate for wipe out my tank.
Party on guys.
-Jeff
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