HD sand question

[Svobodin]

I'm looking to go to home depot or lowes today and pick up some sand for my tank. What should I look for when buying a sand, what should I avoid? Can I get silica-based sand or one with silica in it?

 

Thanks in advance

[cruiZe]

how big is your tank? unless it's huge I don't think its worth the extra work/risk.

 

just order this

[Daleo]

it is debated in FW and forbidden in SW. there is too much risk or releasing contaminants into your tank.

[Svobodin]

how big is your tank? unless it's huge I don't think its worth the extra work/risk.

 

just order this

 

I'm doing a DSB (at least 6") on a 46 gallon bowfront. I also need it today, no two ways about it.

[Markushka]

I've read some threads briefly on RC about this. They said there where a few brands to look out for.

[mrbigshot]

they dont carry aragonite sand at home depot or lowes any more, used to carry southdown or tropical play sandand that is what you would want to use. the main problem is that silica sand or playsand is much sharper and will damage sand dwelling creatures like snails and sand sifters like gobbies. most people will tell you that you will have problems with diatom blooms but the silica is bound in sand and does not leach.

 

aragonite will help buffer your aquarium and help create a more stable ph.

 

common playsand generally is ugly and has a lot of light sand particles in it leaving you quite a bit of floaters that need to be filters out of the water. it always makes your sandbed look dirty but it does a good job of hiding snail poop.

 

your tank will be fine if you want to add sand at a later date, its just messier to do once its up and running. marcorocks has a good deal on sand. i suggest shopping there and it generally comes in a few days.

[Svobodin]

they dont carry aragonite sand at home depot or lowes any more, used to carry southdown or tropical play sandand that is what you would want to use. the main problem is that silica sand or playsand is much sharper and will damage sand dwelling creatures like snails and sand sifters like gobbies. most people will tell you that you will have problems with diatom blooms but the silica is bound in sand and does not leach.

 

aragonite will help buffer your aquarium and help create a more stable ph.

 

common playsand generally is ugly and has a lot of light sand particles in it leaving you quite a bit of floaters that need to be filters out of the water. it always makes your sandbed look dirty but it does a good job of hiding snail poop.

 

your tank will be fine if you want to add sand at a later date, its just messier to do once its up and running. marcorocks has a good deal on sand. i suggest shopping there and it generally comes in a few days.

 

 

Thank you. I'll still go and check there and see what they have. your post was very informative. I can also check walmart, and i'll check petsmart as well. I don't really want to go back and add sand later, I've done that before and it wasn't fun at all.

[glazer]

Might be too late by now.... one place you can check is Toys R Us. It's kind of hit and miss with them, seasonal item and if you're in a larger metro area where there are several of them some may carry it and some may not. It is argonite sand though, actually pretty nice sand... nothing but the best for the little kiddies. It's also about five or six bucks for a 50 lb. bag versus what, like 20 or 30 bucks for half that amount at an LFS.

 

Steve

[Svobodin]

Might be too late by now.... one place you can check is Toys R Us. It's kind of hit and miss with them, seasonal item and if you're in a larger metro area where there are several of them some may carry it and some may not. It is argonite sand though, actually pretty nice sand... nothing but the best for the little kiddies. It's also about five or six bucks for a 50 lb. bag versus what, like 20 or 30 bucks for half that amount at an LFS.

 

Steve

 

 

I didn't even think to check there. It is too late now, but i'll keep it in mind for my next tank.

[Reefer Guy]

What did you end up getting?