Lowes sand okay for reef?

[reefinmike]

the problem was in the sand. i have many many other tanks with aragonite based substrates and have never had a problem like this. the old sand used to clump up on top and get covered by nasty algae...

 

[xtrstangx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7451153#post7451153 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefinmike
the old sand used to clump up on top and get covered by nasty algae...

The clumped sand is from the bacteria. They are thriving so much that they produce a certain type of waste (I forgot exactly what, forgive me ). The waste eventually collects and "bonds" the sand together. This usually happens behind people's rocks where there isn't good flow and the sand isn't sifted (from fish, flow, or other inverts)

Aragonite sand can clump too.. so it wasn't the silica.

Heres a link to clumping sand:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=617728&highlight=hard+sand

 

[cristhiam]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7437309#post7437309 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Travis L. Stevens
I have the same thing at my Lowe's but it's actually a silica sand. Consider yourself lucky.

did you do the vinegar test? I did and it bubbles like crazy. Make sure is the step 1

 

[xtrstangx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7451261#post7451261 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cristhiam
did you do the vinegar test? I did and it bubbles like crazy. Make sure is the step 1

Your sand may be different than someone elses. It depends where they harvest the sand... Its pretty hard to find aragonite sand here in the Midwest because its easier for them to dig up river beds of silica than put pallets of aragonite on trucks. They may use the same bag though and have the same PLU.

 

[reefshadow]

I've used silica sand for years, with NO problems. (quickrete medium grade from lowes, in a brown/green paper bag, 100 pounds for about 6 bucks). It is very fine and whiter than any aragonite I ever used. Loaded with microfauna, and no algae probs, on sand or rocks.

I don't think it looks too bad

I seem to remember a classroom study that was cited where the only tank that used silica had the most (by far) sandbed microfauna. Anyone remember this?

SILICATE is what diatoms use to create their skeletons. I get no more than the usual haze of diatoms on the glass and i'm not about to scoff at free phytoplankton.

My fish don't seem irritated.

Another plus imo is that the silica sand seems "heavier", and I can run far more flow than I could with aragonite. The tanks also settle and clear far faster than aragonite ime.

 

[clkwrk]

Look at silica sand and aggranite under a microscope . You will clearly see what a difference it can have on micro fauna and sand dwelling creatures.

 

[Indermark]

What is the difference between the two sands?

 

[michaelm2431]

Silica has a sharper edge under scope.

 

[Indermark]

Thats what i thought but was not sure. Thanks.

Ryan

 

[michaelm2431]

The Kolor Scape on page 1 is the southdown. Long story.

 

[tigerarmy40]

bennerkla do you have any pics to share yet? would love to see it in use, and how you went about cleaning it!!!

 

[Indermark]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7565551#post7565551 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by michaelm2431
The Kolor Scape on page 1 is the southdown. Long story.

I just wanted to make sure you are refering to the one pictured correct? I'm gonna take for granted that is what you mean. I think I have seen that type of sand before.

Ryan

 

[michaelm2431]

Yes.

Have it in my tank for a year and half. Bought at HD.

 

[tigerarmy40]

lets see the tank!!!!

 

[michaelm2431]

 

[michaelm2431]

Sand storm from first day.

 

[michaelm2431]

In my 55

 

[michaelm2431]

Last month.

 

[michaelm2431]

Close up of sand.

 

[michaelm2431]

More?