Sand
- Thread starter sumae
- Start date
reefman5511
New member
Make sure it's not silicate based.
block head
New member
the hd sand is by pavestone. it's fine to use, but i wouldn't. it's sand has a square shape and will clump up and look nasty after a bit. i switched to a fine oolitic sand and am much happier. i try and cut costs when possible. that stuff will just end up looking like poo and trap crud in your tank.
dan10342
New member
I agree with statement above.
Not to sound too harsh or anything, but just get some arag alive fine grade stuff, or something along those lines. The home depot sand, will look TERRIBLE... maybe not at first, but give it a few months. if your friend gets decent sand to start, they will save MONEY, and TIME that they would have spent taking the HD stuff OUT of the tank after it starts looking bad.
Not to sound too harsh or anything, but just get some arag alive fine grade stuff, or something along those lines. The home depot sand, will look TERRIBLE... maybe not at first, but give it a few months. if your friend gets decent sand to start, they will save MONEY, and TIME that they would have spent taking the HD stuff OUT of the tank after it starts looking bad.
Willistein
Active member
Sumae, you used to be able to get oolitic sand at HD, but it's no longer available. Plenty of people use the white silicate based playsand currently available, it doesn't look quite as nice, but it's personal taste. I can't believe that it traps crud any differently than the caribbean stuff. And no, I don't think it looks terrible. What starts happening to it to make it look bad?
johno4
New member
I agree. I have it in a small tank in my classroom and it looks fine. Its not super white anymore but still looks ok. This stuff will collect nothing worse than any other sand. If it looks good or bad is up to the person looking at it.
Bottom line, its fine to use and will not cause any issue with your tank at all.
block head
New member
the fine oolitic sand is round like ball bearings. most of the play sands are square and tend to compact/clump like kitty litter. really depends on why a person wants to use sand for. several types of fish beneifit from a smooth sand grain. others need a more stable sand to dig tunnels in. i use it for cosmetic/flow reasons. lots of options out there. my cheap scottish butt sprung for the good stuff after using play sand. no right or wrong answers,i'm just sayin...
andrew2010
New member
I am not hijacking this thread but I was going to start a new one about sand.. I found some oldcastle/southdown/ yardright( they have it listed as all three?!?) sand localy(to me) The bag says "YARDRIGHT GRANULAR calcitic LIMESTONE" . Is this the right stuff? My local supplier has it for 3.29 for 50 lbs.
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
you could use it.
People use all kinds of stuff- even the silicate based sands.
My preference would be CaribSea "Special Grade Reef Floor" but that's simply my personal preference.
FWIW I have a bag of high desert playsand from HD available for $5.
I'm pretty sure it weighs 50lbs.
WOW!! I can't believe you found that stuff. How much does your supplier have?!? I would drive down to Olean to pick up a couple 4 bags of it.
andrew2010
New member
Sean check your pm.. -ty Gary I will let you know if this stuff dosent work out. I ordered one bag to see its grain size and color (and the all important vinagar test).
Drew
Drew
andrew2010
New member
On second thought a vinagar test on something that says GRANULAR calcitic LIMESTONE, is probably a waste of time.. lol
