Substrate question

[fareforce]

What are the advantages / dis-advantages of using silica based sand, or araganite based sand?

The problem I am running into is because I live in Alaska I can get 100#'s of white silica sand for $18.00, or I can get 30#'s of araganite sand for $65.00 - $75.00. Really big difference.

 

[fareforce]

bump

 

[xJake]

I'd look into pulverized limestone. It has the benefits of aragonite but costs about the same as silica (play) sand.

 

[tbittner]

This is a really good read.

http://www.ronshimek.com/Deep Sand Beds.htm

He talks about using siliceous sand.

 

[lancer99]

AFAIK, either will do fine. Some claim that aragonite sands will add calcium to your tank, but even if they could (which would have to be at a pH lower than most tanks), they will quickly be coated by bio-films, and will contribute nothing.

If you're doing a DSB, the main criteria are particle size, and for silica sands, sharpness of the particles.

-R