Lowes sand okay for reef?

[xtrstangx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7446625#post7446625 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by highquality
what is the vinegar test?

The acetic acid in vinegar dissolves the calcium carbonate (aragonite sand). If it is CaCO3, then it will fizz/bubble. If it is silica, nothing will happen (there may be a little fizzing from inconsistencies in the sand)

IMO, not necesary. Calcium based sand or silica based sands are both fine for a reef tank.

 

[CKreef]

add some vinegar too a sample of sand if it bubbles its good for the aquarium

 

[highquality]

go for the 180 gal.

 

[xtrstangx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7446673#post7446673 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CKreef
add some vinegar too a sample of sand if it bubbles its good for the aquarium

If it doesn't bubble, its good for the aquarium.

go for the 180 gal.

If that was in reference to me, I am. Gotta wait a few months though cause of injury..

 

[CKreef]

if it bubbles its not silica based

 

[xtrstangx]

Your right CKreef, but whats wrong with silica sand?

 

[CKreef]

heard it causes algae blooms im trying to change mine to sand so im trying to find out more on what to use

 

[xtrstangx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7446780#post7446780 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CKreef
heard it causes algae blooms im trying to change mine to sand so im trying to find out more on what to use

Nope. Silicates cause algae blooms, silica does not. Silica is basically inert... any amount that does break down is not significant at all and will not cause an algae bloom.

Calcium carbonate (aragonite) also provides little buffering capabilities (despite what has been spread around the hobby for years).. You need a pH of 6.7 or below to start to dissolve it.. At that point, your calcium level is probably the least of your concerns.

 

[CKreef]

have you used any silica based sands? I want to change over soon debating on what to do thanks for the insight where did you get this info?

 

[CKreef]

the low ph explains why it bubbles in vinegar very acidic

 

[bennerkla]

Well it's in the tank now anyway, so hopefully nothing will blow up.

 

[CKreef]

it will be fine either way one just has more silica than argonite

 

[tigerarmy40]

Im going to order some for sure just wondering if anyone is going to or has tested it for argonite?

 

[CKreef]

i would like to know also where are you ordering from?

 

[xtrstangx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7446882#post7446882 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CKreef
have you used any silica based sands? I want to change over soon debating on what to do thanks for the insight where did you get this info?

Yeah, I have silica sand in my reef right now.

The info? Its just science.

 

[phallock]

I was under the impression that silica sand was undesirable because of its potential for irritating the gills of certain fish, like sand sifters.

For example there are some types of substrate to stay away from in freshwater tanks because they'll tear up the barbels on Corys and other catfish.

Is this a concern with silica-based sand?

I'm sure one of the DO NOT USE IN AQUARIUMS reasons is because that sand is very dirty (I've used the 50# bag from Lowe's). If they put AQUARIUM SAFE on it, you can bet a healthy percentage of people would assume they could just slit the bag and pour it right in. The number of people using it for aquariums and the quantity they use is very small, so it doesn't really affect the bottom line of sales and they don't have to deal with the flurry of complaints. My theory anyway. If you saw where the stuff often comes from, you'd probably consider it "not aquarium safe" too. It doesn't look too much different than the truckloads of river sand we have dumped on our yards here in the South... it's not all scooped up from pristine beaches

In other words, it's probably not the sand that's not aquarium safe, it's all the other crap in the bag with it.

 

[lowcountrywing]

Just wash it. A good way to wash it is put it in a 5gal bucket. Put a hose down to the bottom and turn on LOW. The water will bubble up through it and flow over the top. The sand will stay in the bucket. Every 5 minutes, stir up the sand with your hands. Give this an hour and you will have perfectly clean sand.

I did it and no problems.

 

[reefinmike]

i used regular fine silica sand from lowes before... big mistake. it was so fine, it acted like a dsb and went anerobic, releasing hydrogen sulfide gas in my tank(deadly) and collected algae. also didnt support sand-sifting organisms, none of my nassarous would burrow in it.. ended up costing me a day of work to get it out just because i wanted to save $40...

 

[xtrstangx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7450543#post7450543 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefinmike
i used regular fine silica sand from lowes before... big mistake. it was so fine, it acted like a dsb and went anerobic, releasing hydrogen sulfide gas in my tank(deadly) and collected algae. also didnt support sand-sifting organisms, none of my nassarous would burrow in it.. ended up costing me a day of work to get it out just because i wanted to save $40...

And you were able to pinpoint the problem was the type of sand? Theres really way to many variables that could go wrong to blame the chemical makeup of the sand.

 

[xtrstangx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7448426#post7448426 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by phallock
I was under the impression that silica sand was undesirable because of its potential for irritating the gills of certain fish, like sand sifters.

My Yellow Watchman Goby has no problem with it.. It might be a FW thing.

And generally speaking, the "Not For Aquarium Use" statement is used to prevent people from suing them if their tank does crash (because, you know, if your tank crashes, you ALWAYS blame the sand :rolleye1: )