play sand?

[[17]shawn[17]]

just wondering can i use play sand in a 5.5 nano im planing on makeing?

 

[Agu]

A lot of people opt for silicate based sand with no ill effects.

 

[<> USB<>]

I've read before of the brand : South Down play sand which is Fl white Fl beach sand. I guess that is supposed to work well. I heard Home Depots and Lowes carry it, although I've yet to see it at my stores.

 

[slowECUdiver]

i used play sand from HD in my 10 gal nano. it's a very small grain, and didn't really pass the vinegar test (to see if it's aragonite). overall, it's a good look, but the small grains can easily clog up a powerhead or HOB filter if you're not careful.

 

[Jocko]

The discontinued Southdown. Don't waste your time looking for it.

Any play sand that looks good to you should work. As others have said, pay attention to the grain size. And make sure to rinse the sand very very well before putting it in your tank.

 

[EdKruzel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8220639#post8220639 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Agu
A lot of people opt for silicate based sand with no ill effects.

A little typo there, they opt for silica not silicate with no ill effects.
Silica is a pure mineral and most hardware stores carry it in fine grain sizes.
Silicates are compounds of Silicon and Oxygen combined with one or more metal ions.

Ed

 

[[17]shawn[17]]

is this the stuff the use for sand blasting?

 

[EdKruzel]

Yes Shawn, same stuff; it's white and clean and is a great grain size for a DSB, however only a calcium based sand can offer any buffer.

I used it in a 210 reef as a DSB and for 5yrs it was teeming with life.
After I sold the tank (prior to a move) and removed the sand bed, I was amazed at all the worms and pods living within.

Ed