SouthDown incognito....
- Thread starter ~ChrisB~
- Start date
jgleach
New member
OK to use? I'm sure it is. Many people chose the original Southdown sand because of the buffering ability (sort of a myth) of aragonite sand and the particle size made it appealing for a DSB. Many also claim that silica based sand fueled diatom blooms (also sort of a myth). I, personally, do not beleive there would be any problem putting this sand in a reef aquarium. As always, this is just my opinion.....
Jeff
~ChrisB~
New member
This stuff looks good.
I'll say what Jeff won't. Both the buffering ability and the alleged diatom blooms are nothing but misinformed myths.
Your aragonite sand will not dissolve enough to help buffer your tank. It's just a fact. The Ph in your tank had better not ever get low enough to dissolve this stuff, or you got big problems. I will go a step further and say that even deep in the DSB it does not go low enough.
Silica sand should be perfectly fine in your system. The only issues that still linger about are the shape of the grain. It is said that aragonite sand has a more rounded shape, and that silica can be sharp, possibly affecting your sand sifting critters.
Chris
I'll say what Jeff won't. Both the buffering ability and the alleged diatom blooms are nothing but misinformed myths.
Your aragonite sand will not dissolve enough to help buffer your tank. It's just a fact. The Ph in your tank had better not ever get low enough to dissolve this stuff, or you got big problems. I will go a step further and say that even deep in the DSB it does not go low enough.
Silica sand should be perfectly fine in your system. The only issues that still linger about are the shape of the grain. It is said that aragonite sand has a more rounded shape, and that silica can be sharp, possibly affecting your sand sifting critters.
Chris
