Anyone useing Kolorscape white play sand?

[Kaos]

I've been trying for years to find Oldcastle and Southdown play sand in my area and couldn't locate any (I guess because we live so close to the ocean). Finally, today I was at WalMart and decided to check (once again) because they are putting out the potting soil and plants. Sure enough there was a pallat (sp?) of Kolorscape white play sand made by Oldcastle. I snagged up a few bags to use on my new FO/FOWLR project ($2.75 for 40lb. bag). Has anyone here used the stuff or have know the history of this stuff? It looks to me like the same sand as Oldcastle and Southdown used. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Kaos]

Don't tell me I'm gonna be the ginea pig?

 

[itstheantitang]

try putting some in a cup with vinegar. If it bubbles, awesome, because you know it is Ca based. If it doesn't, it is typical silica play sand.

 

[Kaos]

It's typical silica play sand. I had hoped it would be CA based but it's not. I'm thinking I will be fine w/ it in my system but I would be reassured to hear of someone else already using it. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Cutiewitbooty]

alot of people use silica sand, i don't know if i would actually use it without a little reassurance from some RC members though lol

 

[jhobart]

Kolorscape Sand Contents

Kolorscape Sand Contents

FYI I'm not an experienced aquarium person but I can help settle this acid test for aragonite issue.

I mixed about a teaspoon of Kolorscape in a mix of dilute sulfuric acid this afternoon and most of it dissolved (and yes it was bubbling while it was dissolving). It is definatlely not predominantly silicate (though I'm sure it contains some, they all do).

You can get strong acids for testing for CaCO3 at many hardware stores (though not Home Depot). Most smaller hardware stores carry muriatic acid, as do swimming pool supply stores. "pH Down" as available at your LFS is usually sulfuric acid (read the bottle / directions - it usually will tell you).

All that said take care. Vinegar will still yield the desired result, but if you want to check it with a strong acid use the proper precautions - full length shirt, gloves, and eye protection, always add acid to water never the other way around. Coke is not a great tester really, you need the dissolved CO2 to make it acidic (carbonic acid) though it does contain phosporic acid as well.

Thanks to all. I don't know a damn thing about aquariums 'cept that I spent $25 on 15lbs of sand from the LFS that I could have got at Home Depot for about $1.25. Thank goodness for these forums.

 

[cristhiam]

I use silica play sand from Lowes no problem several people around my area uses it too. no problems.

 

[cristhiam]

I use silica play sand from Lowes no problem several people around my area uses it too.

 

[jjakes24]

I use this exact sand that you got (Kolorscape from oldcastle). I had it in my tank only for 2-3 months now but no problems yet and I actually found that my water parameters are easier to keep stable now. I didn't even rinse it going into my tank. You'll be fine.