Quikrete play sand?

[SaltyWaters]

Has anyone ever used this as substrate in there tanks? Is it safe? I need to add more sand to my tank and wanted to save some money. $4/50lb bag could get alot.

 

[rogerrgr]

I personally like caribsea aragonite special grade reef sand, not the sugar grain size. Rinse it well with ro/di water or the old water change water. Stays really white with my diamond goby sifting it. I only put a half an inch to help keep detritus build up to a minimum while still having the look of sand.
I wouldn't use the play sand unless it was aragonite based, they are mosty silica based.

 

[funkyman]

^^^^^ What he said.

 

[Pokahpolice]

The first tank I set up I was given some really bad advise and used play sand in my tank. As stated above it's silica based which will feed diatoms. That tank was so brown with diatoms it looked like sewer water for a month. I've still never seen anything like it. DO NOT USE QUIKRETE

 

[C.Sharkdude]

Play sand is okay to use with freshwater. I used it for years with no real issues. However, as stated above, stick with aragonite based sand for saltwater.

 

[SaltyWaters]

ok thanks for the advice. Looks like im sticking to the aragonite sand.

 

[dalemac]

How much do you need? I have 40lbs of caribsea special reef aragonite if you need it.

 

[SaltyWaters]

Dalemac how fine is it?

 

[dalemac]

1.0-2.0 mm. it's a 40lbs bag of CaribSea Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand. it's just sitting in the basement, I ordered 1 bag too many.