Live Sand Questions

[bluereefmarine]

If my memory stands correct, did I not read somewhere in this forum that Home Depot has a type of sand to make your own live sand? Can someone direct me to that link and offer suggestions???

 

[bluerug]

Yep it is true its called southdown sand or something like that.

 

[bluerug]

Wrong thread.

 

[mflamb]

Southdown was produced by a company that is now owned by Cemex, which no longer markets Southdown.

 

[dugg]

You can't buy southdown sand any more. All of the playsand that you can buy at HD or Lowes is silica sand. I have used it before , and had no issues, but some people worry about the silica leaching out and feeding diatoms. I have it in my FW tank, with way lower PH ranges and it does cause what i think are diatom there, but in the SW tank i had it in with the higher PH ranges, i saw no effect.

You can use the pulverized limestone. It is calcium based sand, and is pretty fine grain. Just be sure and rinse any sand you buy real good before you use it to avoid the week long cloud. The limestone won't be with the sand, it will be out with the paving stones. I know they have it at Lowes not sure HD.