Cape may, NJ sand?

[True_Bohemian]

Well I know this isn't a tropical place but wondering if the sand is ok to use for a planted tank? It doesn't smell at all also. Thats just a quick question from me to you.

 

[piercho]

It probably a fine silica sand, and should work fine for a sand bed. It will not have a weak carbonate buffering capability, like tropical aragonite (calcium carbonate) sands that are often used in marine aquaria do. Another consideration is appearance. My silica sand was grey, and I think that the esthetic appearance of the tank was improved when I replaced it with white aragonite sand.

 

[Samala]

I'm not sure I'd use it myself. I didnt use Lewes, DE sand for several reasons, including recent to historic oil spills in the Bay. If Cape May has had a recent beach replenishment the sand should be from just offshore. I'd agree with Howard, it'll very likely be silica based, with a bit of calcium carbonate from shell matter, but not a lot. So, weakly capable of buffering the system.

All in all, I've used wild substrates from other potentially questionable sources and havent had any trouble. I also havent been trying to rear larval stages of fish or corals (which would probably be sensitive).. but for a planted tank its probably fine.

>Sarah