Question because I'm curious

[cschweitzer]

How do you tell aragonite sand from other types? What distinguishing characteristic(physical and seen with a naked eye) would set this sand apart. I met someone who has too much sand, but doesn't know what type it is. They say it is white and has shells. I wanted to go check it out, but I have no idea what distinguishes aragonite so that I could go over and say, yes or no to the sand.

Thanks as always, guys and gals

 

[Sk8r]

Well, that could cover aragonite, which looks like white cat litter with small shell bits, or it could cover a lot of other things, too.

 

[waterfaller1]

Look on the bottom of the grains..it will say A-R-A-G-O-N-I-T-E.

 

[cschweitzer]

Sweet...someone took the time to label aragonite!!! Now all I need is an electron microscope.

That must be a crappy job...branding sand grains.LOL

I wish there was a way I could know for sure. What other kinds of sand are there besides silica, calcite, and aragonite? Is there any real danger (I know, silicate is bad) in using a different type of sand?

 

[cschweitzer]

Well, if there is a way, it looks like we can get as much of this as we need for free, we just need to haul it away. So it may be worth finding out if it is at all possible. Do the grains take on a different shape, size, color, structure? I have a microscope I can bring, I just don't know what to look for to even tell the difference. If it is aragonite, sounds like everyone's problems of finding it might be over for a while. This person got truckloads dumped in their backyard.

 

[cristhiam]

put some vinager, if it bubbles it's argonite.

 

[waterfaller1]

That's right..the vinegar test. It's how you tell southdown too.

 

[cschweitzer]

SWEET!!!!!!!!! What type of vinegar? If it is and he wants it gone like he said, I'll post the info here and it'll be a free-for-all.

 

[thor32766]

just go the grocery store and get white vinegar, i used to test my paver sand

 

[YodaHart]

Yup, just bring a small container of vinegar to their house and drop some sand in. If it bubbles, you're golden.

Btw, if you need some sand, I have about a 10 gallon bucket full of it. Probably around 70 lbs. I recently took it all out of my refugium and its been sitting in the bucket for about a week. You can have it for free.

LMK

 

[jy544]

Thats what I have alway done also. Just plain old cheap white vinegar.

 

[thor32766]

silica isnt bad sand, tons of people use and have never had problem. it just doesnt act as a buffer.

 

[cschweitzer]

What about calcite?
Jon, I appreciate your offer, but I will be filling a 180G and fuge, so it'll take quite a bit. i would still love to grab that from you. I'll send you a pm.

I'll get in touch with ths guy and see what can be arranged. If it is aragonite, I think he is giving it away for free. Once I have more info, I will post back up here.

I'll tell you, I love this club. Any stupid little test that can be done has been done. That test will be a major time-saver rather than finding out a different way.

Thank you all for the great input,
Craig

 

[DaveG99]

let us know. If its aragonite I will be there to pick up a few hundred pounds. I wonder if my roomate would mind if I filled up half the garage with sand..lol

 

[cschweitzer]

He says he has over 4500 lbs, so let's hope it is aragonite. I'll try to find out soon.

 

[sttaylor]

Yodaheart,

If Craig does not want your bucket o' sand, I'll take it.

Scott

 

[cschweitzer]

Going to test the guys sand after work today. I'll keep everyone posted on whether or not it is aragonite. Keep your fingers crossed...4500+lbs would satisfy everyone's need for sand.

 

[keithntracy]

need 200lbs

 

[cschweitzer]

I will post my findings here and anyone going to ORA tomorrow will hear about it then also.

 

[keithntracy]

you're the best craig!!