So you think KolorScape sand is safe????

[lesniewv]

I've thinking of setting up a remote dsb in a 30 gallon brute trash can, aka The Calfo Bucket Method. Can't find Old Castle anymore, so I've been doing some research on using alternative sands that are cheap. I've found a few people that advocate using Kolor Scape by Old Castle, Inc. as long as you wash it. Well, I tried and this is what I got.

Anyone have any other suggestions for cheap sand that won't kill my tank. I need to buy about #100 lbs and I can't see spending over $100, but I see no alternative. Any other suggestions cause I ain't going with this stuff.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y32/lesniewv/IMG_3085.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y32/lesniewv/IMG_3084.jpg

[HippieSmell]

That's pretty gross, but that's why you wash it. I've used silica sand by Quikcrete and some other brand sold at Menards. No ill effects that I know of.

[Driftwood]

My kolorscape didn't look like that... It was little white crystals that bubbled in vinager. It turned the water a little white, but I didn't rinse mine. There was no color in there at all. Did yours say white play sand?

I am using it in my sump for a DSB and it looks great so far.

[reefshadow]

That looks scary, i would not use it.

WTH is the orange stuff anyhow, looks like a bunch of iron got oxidized or something. Did you run a magnet over it?

I like the quickrete, if you do a search, you can find more info on it.

[lesniewv]

Driftwood, yeah, it's the same that's been advocated on a few threads here....white play sand, blue writing, etc.

I have no idea what it is, but I guess I'll give the quickrete a try or look for someone breaking down a tank.

Reefshadow, how long have you been using quickrete and what did it look like when you washed it?

[reefshadow]

I've been using the quikrete for 5 years, in every tank i've set up, mine and others.

The last few times i used it i didn't rinse at all, lol. but you may want to. Even w/o rinsing the sand settled and the tank was totally clear within 5 or 6 hours. any dust in the bag is going to be silica or quartz anyway. it's very pure.

It is composed of silica and quartz, and is inert. I like it for a few reasons. It's cheap, it's kind of 'heavy' so it doesn't fly all around the tank - clears very fast, it's very white and fine.

You need to make sure if you're going with silica that you get an industrial/commercial grade, with the warning on the bag and an MSDS sheet available. Other brands of 'silica' sand may have suspect purity.

[reefshadow]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/20899quikrete.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/20899quikrete1.jpg

this tank is at about 18 months, with unwashed quickrete from day 1-

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/20899fulltank.jpg

[lesniewv]

Thanks for the pics. I've seen your posts on the other sand forums and there's a few others that share your positive experience. I'll see if I can find it locally.

[Flyflicker]

Reefshadow, how fast does that sand settle? I have some jawfish that don't stop digging, and I am sick of seeing sand floating around my tank... I am almost to the point of getting crushed coral just so I don't see anymore really fine sand floating around my tank.

[reefshadow]

It settles much faster than aragonite, IME... I'm, not sure though with a jawfish. My polymnus female will stir up the sand and it does make a cloud, but settles very quickly.