Sand

[docjason2]

Anyone know where there is a good place in Eastern IA to get safe, cheap sand? Talked my coworker into starting hobby and need about ~90 pounds of sand. We're looking for Southdown, but haven't seen any around in 2 years.

 

[vikubz]

I have not found anywhere around here that has Southdown or any other similar product. Lots of people use silica sand and have good results, you will probably have to rinse more thoroughly, but it works.

 

[musty baby]

Dry, bagged aragonite from an LFS isn't going to put much of a dent in your wallet. Could also skip the sand completely...

 

[docjason2]

We really want to have sand in the tanks. And the LFS was like $20+ for a 20lb bag of sand....was hoping there was a brand or store besides that had cheaper aragonite.

 

[vikubz]

Some folks use the paver sand you will find at Lowes etc. It is often made of crushed dolomite if I remember right. It is not as good as aragonite, but it does have buffering capability. It will also require lots of rinsing as well, but another option.

 

[ZLTFUL]

Pulverized Limestone made and sold by Pavestone can be found at Home Depot. It is pure limestone. Just rinse it well and seed it with a cup of live sand from someones tank.

 

[docjason2]

You guys know if Pavestone is sold in Davenport or Waterloo? Hate to make the trek and find it's not there. Thanks for the ideas!

 

[ZLTFUL]

I would say give the HD down there a call.

 

[musty baby]

The pulverized limestone I searched around for (including the stuff sold at Home Depot) was half brown. I assume the color depends on where it's mined, so while some have found pure white, I had no luck.

 

[ZLTFUL]

I know of a couple of landscaping companies that use it for base for flagstone paths. The kicker is, they buy it by the dumptruck, and both companies are in the DSM area.

One of them I know for certain will happily sell you 5 gallon buckets of it. And it is very white 100% limestone.