KolorScape Sand - Southdown Alternative???

[xxxbadfishxxx]

Hey all,

im setting up a nano and needed some sand. I havent really paid attention to any of the sand threads for the last two years, but this might have been brought up already. I got KolorScape White Play Sand put out by Old Castle, which i beleive was an alternative to southdown when i was looking years ago. It says "not for aquarium use" like southdown did, however, it also says "This product contains small amounts of crysalline silica (CAS 14808-60-7), A common mineral found in natural sand and stones......" I dont know if its a ploy to deture aquarium owners away for it or not. Does anyone know if its good or not?

thanks,

Jeff

 

[chinaman4u]

It doesn't pass the vinegar test. It isnt aragonite. Not the same stuff as southdown or yardright. I was told it was ok, but I wouldn't put that in my tank.

 

[poedag]

even silica sand isn't bad for your tank, check out Dr. Randy Holmes-Farley's discussion if this:
http://advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2003/feature.htm

 

[poedag]

p.s. if it's just a nano, why not buy a 20lb bag of LS?

 

[xxxbadfishxxx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7517717#post7517717 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by poedag
p.s. if it's just a nano, why not buy a 20lb bag of LS?

i was going to stock up for when i upgrade within the next year

 

[poedag]

ahh, well i used ~70lbs of quickcrete silica sand in my display and sump and it works just fine with no ill effects, the only thing i did was to put aaraganite over the top so it was white. hope this helps.

 

[kraze3]

I used that sandwith no problems, its only been a few months but when i asked for advice on this sand i was told by 5 or 6 people it was fine to use. One person had it in their aquarium for almost 2 years.

 

[xxxbadfishxxx]

Thanks.

 

[poedag]

i was a little leery at first, but after reading that article by Dr. RHF i decided to go for it, and it was worth it in the $$ is saved

 

[demonboy279]

i have a mix of 20lbs live sand and 100 pounds of kolorscape in my 55 and it hasnt had no problems.

 

[gvibes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7517689#post7517689 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chinaman4u
It doesn't pass the vinegar test. It isnt aragonite. Not the same stuff as southdown or yardright. I was told it was ok, but I wouldn't put that in my tank.

I've heard of some of the bags passing the test. It just depends.

 

[elliotklinger]

I've been looking for this sand- Asked at dozen stores, WalMart, Lowe's, Home Depot, and few Hardwares, they're all out....

Finally I called WalMart in Leesburg, VA and found they had 3 pallets (180 bags) and I got 20 bags. I didn't care if it is not 100% aragonite but still I was fairly confident the sand will do the same.

After I arrived home, I tested with white distilled vinegar- Only saw micro-bubbles, n ot actual fizzle like dropping sugar into soda pop.

I have left over aragonite about 60 lbs and live sand- I would recommend to cover the sand with 1/2 inch of aragonite or live sand, tho. Plus, you can always rinse this sand outside- may not remove silicia but reduce the amount of silicia that are present in finer form.

I've used home depot playing sand- the regular type with silica, the result wasn't bad.... 3 months then start to see diatom growth but with protein skimmer and weekly cleaning- diatom went away within 2 weeks and never returned....

 

[KDodds]

This same sand was packaged last year as "Durascape" and again in some locations this year as the same, but I have seen the "Kolorscape" packaging as well. It's good to know that some of you guys are able to use it with no problems. Has anyone requested an assay from Old Castle?

 

[marinelife]

We used this in my daughters sand and water table. Nasty stuff, when the water hit it the water turn white within seconds and any that was splashed out left white spots, the stuff seems messy to me, I would not use the stuff in my tank, it is just plain dirty

 

[weaselslucks]

sand

sand

i've been useing childs playsand in freshwater tanks for years and never had a problem.also mixed it with a bag of reef sand from petco and so far so good

 

[elliotklinger]

I think you're suppose to rinse first before putting into tank... Also, if you want to gradually add to system currently running- use bowl method.

Use 4" bowl/tupperware, like 1 lbs butter container, put in sand and slowly descend into your system- add water to the sand before putting in tank so it wouldn't work up a sandstorm. You'll eventually have it all applied to the bottom without any particle storm.

I don't think playing sand with silica has any adverse affect on freshwater like saltwater. Despite the current belief that silica's impact on reef/SW is considered as myth- it stills has a little impact on the system but will still have some effects.

 

[boxfishpooalot]

I wouldnt use it because it says not for aquarium use.

Many companies spray dust inhibitors on the rocks before crushing them to sand.

 

[KDodds]

:lol: Would it surprise anyone to know that the retired "Southdown" and some packaged pets store sands were collected from the same source? Now, I wasn't there when they were digging and screening and bagging, but something tells me that nothing was done differently with regards to product treatment, other than the design of the package. However, Durascape/Kolorscape DOES appear to be crushed rock, not a natural sand. For this reason, I've been leery of using it in my tanks (and because I haven't had to set up another tank).

You can get diatoms in FW as well. Like in SW tanks, the type of sand you use has little to no bearing on diatoms.

 

[elliotklinger]

Actually, I believe that aquarium companies paid the sand companies to place "do not use in aquarium" label on playing sand to prevent customers from buying those sand and have them to buy directly from pet store at inflated price. Both of playing sand and aquarium sand are same, mined from same source- we just have to keep track of which sand are already tested for reef/SW set-up like oldcastle, southdown, kolorscape. Those brands are from same company, old castle but name changes every year- reason unknown, possibly try to present more interesting market versus competitors like quikerete...

It's all political game revolved on the greed. Bottom line, it's all same, it's how the produce is being advertise and how the customers are being manipulated. If people said they had success with it and you're still leery then don't try it... However, by using oldcastle product, you'll save a whole a lot money!!!!

I figured if I bought the sand directly from pet store, I'll spend $560 dollars while I get the same amount of sand from dept store, labelled as playing sand for only measly $56 dollars. Talk about a real bargain!

It's your tank and your choice, nobody is twisting your arms- we can only make suggestion and good arguments for those who may consider using the such product. I understand about being awkward based on trust of the particular product but if money is low, there isn't much choice...