Cheap alternative for sand?

just crush glass up really fine :)

what size grains are you talking about? i think silica sand is relatively sharp in case you have any sand sifting gobies, jawheads, etc. spend the extra money and make sure your grain size isn't too small
 
If I had it to do all over again, I would not have used the play sand.... I don't like the look compaired to other tanks that used Arganite sand.

Besides when you look back and see the $600+ light, $300 skimmer, $500+ in rocks, $$$$ in livestock.... you'll ask yourself, why did I go with the $30 sand to save $150?
 
Neither link is working for me. Check the garden section for 'Pulverized Limestone'. There are several manufacturers that make it. It is Aragonite sand, just poke a small hole in it to make sure it's a nice grain size and not too dusty or too chunky.
 
I used the Pavestone crushed lime stone at Home Depot. Works great. Be careful though as they you don't want to get the kind that is dust.
 
I think that thinsls hot the nail on the head. If you are going to build a reef tank and add a deep sand bed then why would you want to skimp on things. It's like saying well my car needs brakes put on it so let me go get the cheapest parts I can find and put on my car. Sand is your base for the rest of your tank. If you can't afford the nice sand that you really want to put in there then just stop with the tank and wait a week or 2 until you have more money and buy the sand that you really want.
Could you imagine 2 months down the road and you are kicking yourself in the butt because you don't like the look of it.

PATIENCE

Save your money and buy the sand that you want. When it comes time to put live rock in the tank are you going to go a rock quarry and grab some rocks that fall off the trucks as they come out. Not trying to sound like a smart mouth but I just think you need think this one thru a bit more.
 
Re: Cheap alternative for sand?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11611288#post11611288 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drillsar
I went to home depot today to see if they have Yardright, southdown, pavestone

they had kolorscape (Has silica in it)

This one:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...oductId=100343171&marketID=15&locStoreNum=928

This One:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...og.beans.EndecaDataBean@64f382f2&ddkey=Search

Or is it just better to spend the extra $$$ and get caribsea sugar sized sand?

Im planning on going with a dsb.

Thanks
Click to expand...



This is what I get when I click on your links.

"The product you are trying to view is not currently available."


:confused:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11614611#post11614611 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bmrescort
I think that thinsls hot the nail on the head. If you are going to build a reef tank and add a deep sand bed then why would you want to skimp on things. It's like saying well my car needs brakes put on it so let me go get the cheapest parts I can find and put on my car. Sand is your base for the rest of your tank. If you can't afford the nice sand that you really want to put in there then just stop with the tank and wait a week or 2 until you have more money and buy the sand that you really want.
Could you imagine 2 months down the road and you are kicking yourself in the butt because you don't like the look of it.

PATIENCE

Save your money and buy the sand that you want. When it comes time to put live rock in the tank are you going to go a rock quarry and grab some rocks that fall off the trucks as they come out. Not trying to sound like a smart mouth but I just think you need think this one thru a bit more.
Click to expand...
Completely agree with the mass money we invest in this hobby why skimp on sand! the best way i found to save money is buying through a local reef club (used Equipment) For me it has been a Godsend! 55g tank for 35bucks No leaks, Overflow box with aqua lifter 40 bucks, Skimmer FREE WITH PUMP(ok not quite free its costing me a 6-pack of bud light!) I am Spending the money on Carbisea which will delay my tank being up and running by a couple weeks, i am also buying Distilled water(55g in one gallon jugs is alot to carry) But i know its better than tap. The only thing i am Skimping on is the fact that i found a calcium Based Lace Rock for .88 per lb!!!! sure beats 5.00 per lb for live rock(only reason im doing this is that it would take me 6+ months to save the money for enough live rock!) With that being said if you really must Skimp on sand i would do so at a farm supply store by buying crushed Oyster Shell(Be sure to rinse it VERY VERY well as there is alot of powder in it) BUT if you do this you have to be careful on fish IE NO SAND SIFTERS!
 
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"Save your money and buy the sand that you want. When it comes time to put live rock in the tank are you going to go a rock quarry and grab some rocks that fall off the trucks as they come out. Not trying to sound like a smart mouth but I just think you need think this one thru a bit more."

I saved my money......$6 a 50 lb bag at Home Depot.
If you want to spend your cash on what amounts to premium dirt go right ahead.As for me,I'll spend that money on stuff that's really need to run the tank properly.
Oh gee........isn't that some lovely substrate you have there.:rollface:
That's not my goal with a reef tank.:lol:
 
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