Sandbox Sand

[littlepricie]

hello new at the saltwater set up.... I am in the process of cylcing my tank and just looking for an alternate for live sand, I am up in canada, ontario and do not have access to southdown sand is there an alternative thag anybody is aware of??? thanks for all your help at reef central

[ChickenCannoneer]

I just use the sandbox sand that you get at the Home improvment store. HTH, Tim

[lakebound]

I am pretty sure I will stir up a discussion on this but...I went with a play sand, did a vinegar test on it; no bubbles so I threw in 50lbs. and havent looked back since. Tank is doing great. Just make sure the sand is not a silica based sand and you should be fine.

[barjam]

If it failed the bubble test that means it was silica based doesn't it?

[lakebound]

not from what I read.

[littlepricie]

what is the bubble test and why add the vineger?????? there is sandbox sand by the name of king sand has anybody heard of this if so have they used it???? i tried looking it up for the mixture but i can not find it...thanks for the help.. J.Price

[xtrstangx]

The bubble test:

Add vinegar to the sand. The vinegar will break down calcium carbonate (CaCO3 aka aragonite sand).. When it breaks it down, it will bubble and fizz.

If it doesn't bubble and fizz, then you are dealing with silica sand (SiO2 I believe).

[doox00]

good read on silica sand in reef tanks...

http://advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2003/feature.htm