Picking up the 180gal this Sunday...

TokiHacker

TokiHacker

New member
I am picking it up this sunday! Excited! Can finally start plumbing and get stuff ordered. My question. I have loads of dry rock which I am going to use in the tank and I was going to put a few bags of live sand and some non silicate play sand to fill the tank. Is this a bad idea? I mean I was going to take some vinegar to Lowes and test sand until I found one that would work. Its just going to be like 300$ for just sand! lol. If I got to spend it I will but id prefer not too if it is possible with 50lb bags for 5$.


Thanks for the haste response,

Toki
 
I have not heard of any usable play sand in a long time. Where did you hear you can use play sand? There used to be a certain brand that was acceptable, but as far as I know they stopped making it over 10 years ago. I think it was Southdown play sand. I remember people buying it by the pallet when they heard it was discontinued. I guess as long as you can find aragonite play sand you should be ok.
 
crawlerman said:
I have not heard of any usable play sand in a long time. Where did you hear you can use play sand? There used to be a certain brand that was acceptable, but as far as I know they stopped making it over 10 years ago. I think it was Southdown play sand. I remember people buying it by the pallet when they heard it was discontinued. I guess as long as you can find aragonite play sand you should be ok.
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ok and if not, does anyone know of a good source for 200lbs of sand?
 
IMO. I would use live sand because its not just sand like the play sand, it also contains no silica. If you are going with a reef tank, I feel like you benefit way more from the materials found in live sand. Just my opnion, and best of luck no matter what you choose and happy reefing!!

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I got mine on Amazon. You want aragonite,but it can be dry (dead live sand, as it were).


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CrayolaViolence said:
I've bought mine off the petco website like 6.00 for a 10 pound bag.
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That's not too bad. I was going to use a few bags of live sand to seed and pure ammonia for the cycle. Most rock will be dry but I will add a piece or two from my other system to get it started. Then in a month or so start looking at a few small fish if the cycle has passed.
 
I agree with the others, you'll want something aragonite based (Live or dry.) The Caribsea special grade reef is pretty popular, or if you like finer sand, the bahamas oolite and fiji pink are good as well. As crayolaviolence mentioned, If you can catch Petco on one of their sales, you can get it cheaper than most other places online.
 
I used Play sand from Lowes in my Marine pond. Its Quartz sand..You need to rinse in very well.. I Used 300 lbs and 300 lbs of aragonite that i got on sale at petco. I would NOT Do this in a reef tank...
 
CeresReef said:
Probably a stupid question, but what about sand from a beach?
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NO..


Beaches are very polluted and super high in nutrients at the very least. A Beach in its design by nature is the oceans protein skimmer....

If its a beach on a island way out in the middle of a clear ocean would be different...

:confused::confused:You do know the sand is one of the less of the expenses you are about to encounter right ???:confused:
 
I just ordered two 30 pound bags of Tropic Eden Miniflakes 30lbs (aragonite crumbs, 2mm), and one 30 pound bag of Tropic Eden Tonga Pink Sand 30lbs (0.8mm). $40 a bag. Every single review I've read of this sand has been absolutely outstanding, so I'm very excited to use this sand in my new 90g.

You can get Tropic Eden sand at premiumaquatics.com
 
Glad you went this route. I'm all for saving some money but you have to be careful where you save. Quality equipment is worth it in this hobby. I would rather buy quality used equipment than cheaper new.
 
ericarenee said:
NO..





Beaches are very polluted and super high in nutrients at the very least. A Beach in its design by nature is the oceans protein skimmer....



If its a beach on a island way out in the middle of a clear ocean would be different...



:confused::confused:You do know the sand is one of the less of the expenses you are about to encounter right ???:confused:
Click to expand...



Yes I know. I already have bought the lights skimmer sump is already built and water is making. Not a whole lot else besides the sand right now. I already have dosers and reactors from my 225 years ago



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