Question about Home Depot Sand

[MAreefer1]

I was gonna use this in my fish tank...is it safe for my fish tank?

HOW ABOUT THIS SAND...HAS ANYONE USED IT? its fine grain...and white

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<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/9561/silicone6tw.jpg" border="0" width="640" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

 

[Dubbin1]

That will work fine.

 

[MAreefer1]

how bout this sand?

 

[CeeGee]

are you sure that will work fine?

I heard that GE silicon II has some kind of chemical in it that prevents mildew.

I also read on this board somewhere to use the GE silicon I.

 

[MAreefer1]

yes please...could someone of a third party please elaborate?

 

[Dubbin1]

I have used both I and II with no problems. If you want to play it safe then get the I. I have no idea about the sand so I will keep quiet on that

 

[MAreefer1]

k tankkks...I trust Dubbin more than anyone here

 

[Dubbin1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6494526#post6494526 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MAreefer1
k tankkks...I trust Dubbin more than anyone here

Thats funny because I could pick MANY more people on here to trust more then me. I just give personal experience and thats about it. I have seen where people complained about using the GE II so you may want to wait for more replies.

I know I know you like me because I am a Pistons fan

 

[MAreefer1]

personla experience is good, but can anyone answer the ?Q? about the HD sand???

 

[aurorafish]

The sand is fine to use.

 

[JimW]

That sand is probably not aragonite type sand. Likely silica. No problem using it, but wont provide benefits of aragonite.

 

[MAreefer1]

ok...cool, should I rinse the sand before putting it in the tank(the tank has been established for 4 months)?

 

[aurorafish]

Usually get a milky tank for a day or 2, rinsing couldn't hurt.

 

[MAreefer1]

alrite...cool, will it be alrite mixed in with crushed oyster shells and crushed coral?

 

[atoa]

What always had me wondering is the fact that the GE I silicon i get here in PR is labeled as "mildew resistant" (bath and kitchen) as oppossed to the GE II which is labeld as outdoors (doors and windows).

I've seen many posts stating to use I instead of II - but the "mildew" label on I makes me doubt. I might be missing something. Anybody knows why I is preferred over II?

 

[reverendmaynard]

I or II is not important. Both come in the "Windows and Doors" and the "Kitchen and Bath" varieties. The important thing is to use the Window and Door stuff, because you do NOT want the mildew resistance.

 

[Acreagedad]

I wouldn't use it!

If you do, prepare! I used Home Depot playground sand for my 125. After about 4 water changes over a few weeks, I still couldn't get used to the clowdy water caused by floating fine particles. They're everywhere. So I scrapped the sand and now I'm fine.

If you use it, prepare for the extra work. It's a matter of preference. My $ .02

 

[atoa]

OK, so both silicone I & II come with mildew resistance variety. Our local HD only carries I for "Kitchen and Bath" with mildew resistance and II as "Windows and Doors".

That clarifies it. Thanks.

 

[CoralFiend]

This is where I get my silicone sealant. Costs more, but you know it is aquarium safe. The large size tube (10.3 oz) fits in a standard caulk gun.

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/6894/cid/

I try to stay away from the hardware store stuff. I too wonder about the claim of 100% silicone - but is mildew resistant. Years ago I used to get a GE product at Lowe's that acutally stated "Safe for aquarium use" right on the tube. Many do say "Not for use in aquariums" on the label, so read the fine print.

As far as the sand goes, I would prefer aragonite sand for it's buffering properties. Silica sand is also abrasive and can scratch your tank - especially acrylic. If you use it, be careful you don't get any on your algae magnet.