silica sand users!!!

[miniz2k6]

where do you get your sand. how much does it cost? what are the pros and cons? got any pics of your tanks with silican/playsand?

 

[cristhiam]

Lowes or Homed Depot like 4.99 for a 50 pound bag.

 

[cristhiam]

pics here. I have about 150 pounds of the silica mixed with kolorscape paver step 1 sand which is bigger grains.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=998825

 

[Paintbug]

got mine from Lowes as well. the only down side i have noticed is the color. i would like it to be a little more white. but for >$15 for 150lbs i can live with it. LOL

 

[cristhiam]

they do have a whiter one on lowes it quickcrate fine sand something like that

 

[Zestay]

so whats the cheapest . large size sand available from homedepot / lowes. i want to make a DSB in my sump. but also dont want a sand storm. i added a hand ful of play sand to my display tank and wow it gets swept up in power heads very very easily. was planning on making a playsand DSB with some form of gravel top over it. any thoughts on this idea.. ?

 

[rodgod20]

anybody ever had major problems with silica sand?

 

[Zestay]

so far i havent but i only have a handful in my tank. im about to create a deep sand bed with it.

my sand sifting goby isint to fond of it guess its to small for him..

 

[cristhiam]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9445661#post9445661 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zestay
so whats the cheapest . large size sand available from homedepot / lowes. i want to make a DSB in my sump. but also dont want a sand storm. i added a hand ful of play sand to my display tank and wow it gets swept up in power heads very very easily. was planning on making a playsand DSB with some form of gravel top over it. any thoughts on this idea.. ?

it's a mess in the biggining but it should settle once the bacteria grows on the sand and holds it down. I had to use filter media to get the water clear when I introduced the sand. I had two penguins 330s running filters with carbon and cleared up in about 2 days.

 

[cristhiam]

the price is about the same at both places.

 

[Paintbug]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9446079#post9446079 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cristhiam
the price is about the same at both places.

generally yes. there may be a $.25 difference per bag.

 

[draleigh]

I am using the Medium Based Quikcrete (Brown Bag with Green Banner on it). Looks really white but i must advise to rinse rinse rinse. I had a sand storm in my tank for like 4-5 days after i did mine. So far i like the way it looks, i have about 5-6 inces in it. I am still in the cycle phase so i can't give any long term opinions, but i have read many threads that people have good success with it. 50lbs bag for $3.50 at Home Depot

 

[RedSoxReefer]

I was going to use it but on the bag it specifically says not to use it for aquariums, any idea why?

 

[rodgod20]

it says that to keep them from being sued.....its fine.

 

[enemec1]

is the kolorscape sand ok for sand sifting gobys and star fish?

 

[Randall_James]

Biggest con to silica IMO is the hardness of the stuff. If you use a magfloat and get a single grain between the float and the glass, you will scratch the tank... At least with aragonite, you get away with a mistake like that. Use a lot of caution is all when cleaning.. After lots of consideration, I have always used aragonite in my displays just for that reason. Sure you save a few bucks with silica but it turns out to be a long term issue of paying extreme attention to any stray particles