WTB Southdown or equiv.

[DougSupreme]

Any one know where I can find any southdown or equivalent type sand in the south Chicago area? Not really interested in paying $25 a bag for the carib sea stuff.

 

[jdhanover]

Don't think it is around anymore. Apparently peopl have had success with the Kolorscape White Play Sand at Home Depot and seeding it with live sand .... hope so cuz that is what I am going to do.

 

[DougSupreme]

Anyone know if the Kolrscape passes the vinegar test? Not that it really matters if it looks nice, but it would be a bonus.

 

[hansnfrans]

Only one bag out of a bunch passed the vinegar test according to the guy who posted that thread about Kolorscape. Looks like the one bag was a fluke. Probably silica. Maybe bring some vinegar with ya to home depot.

 

[DragonFish]

I've got a little over a bag and a half of actual southdown I'll trade for frags. Let me know if you want them?

 

[Sullyman]

I've been looking for that thread, I saw a lot of bags of the kolorscape playsand at HD the other day. I thought the thread said it did pass the vinegar test, but I guess I can take a small cup of vinegar with me tomorrow or Friday to be sure.

 

[tikireefer]

tell me about the Vinegar test........how does it work? What is the purpose?

Thanks

 

[little_squid]

vinegar will disolve calcium based sand/rock! drop some onto the sand and if you hear the rice krispy elfs (crackle/pop lol)you have calcium based sand

 

[SaraB]

Here's a link to the thread that you had referenced:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=818615&highlight=southdown

 

[Sullyman]

Thanks Sara, I guess I'll take a little vinegar with me, but will probably buy it anyway. I'll let you know if I get fizzies.

 

[tikireefer]

When I first setup my tank everyone was saying to use Southdown so I did. I didn't really know why Southdown was so good I just used it because it was available and I was pretty new to the hobby. Can someone tell me why calcium based sand is good or bad and why? Thanks......just trying to learn!

 

[hansnfrans]

tiki- usually you are faced with buying either silica based sand or calcium based sand. The myth is that silica based sand will add silicates to you water and cause algal blooms and another myth is that the calcium based sand will serve to buffer your water to prevent pH swings. Both are myths. It appears as if the most important thing to consider when buying sand is grain size and shape. Better to get "sugar" fine sand that has rounded grains as opposed to jagged grains.

 

[TheCoralReef731]

Does kolorscape have round grains? I got some real nice sand from Petco called oolitic sand. It is very good for sand-sifters.

 

[hansnfrans]

I belive the guy who posted the original thread about Kolorscape (BOTR) said that it did have round grains. Check that thread, it should be in there.

 

[DougSupreme]

nah, the bags I saw had "cubed" grains

I may pick up this sand today anyway.