Play sand..safe or not??

[GrouperGenius]

My new build will need 550-700 lbs of sand. Anybody had personal experience with using play sand from Lowes or Homey???

 

[cparka23]

I've used some called "southdown" without an issue for a couple years, but I think it's aragonite-based play sand. I'll have to check the bag and see what it says on it.

From what I've heard, the various home improvement centers don't seem to carry the same stuff from one place to the next. It's a crap shoot as to what you'll actually find available.

 

[killingseed2000]

yes, like cpark said its aragonite-based if southdown, there are some that are silica based sands which are still fine but may not supply buffer support how ever you can mix it. some people have reported using silica based sands with no problem as well. there is a test you can do to tell if its aragonite or silica with vinigar.

 

[Sikryd]

When I am spending big $$$ on everything else in the hobby - I try not and skimp on items that are actually going to be in the tank -
Although I have heard of people using it and it working okay - I haven't heard of anybody using and it working in the long haul......
just my .02

 

[Braves Fan]

flricordia.synthasite.com/green-gobblins.php, zoanthids, nightmares, ricordia, sps, buy corals, frags, PE, palythoas

The reason I give you this web site: The man who has this web site is friends with a man named Chris who buys whole tank systems as people get out of the hobby or just up grade to larger tanks. I would almost bet he can lay his hands on all the sand you want at a good price, and the kicker is, he lives in your state, Florida, Pensacola. I agree with Sikryd, don't go cheap with what goes in your tank.

 

[softiegirl]

just got some play sand from home depot for my sons sandbox... says right on the bag...not for aquarium use!

 

[Hypertek99]

When i first started like 10 years ago i used southdown sand with no issue. But now i use Carbi-sea sand.

 

[sly fox]

if you read the calfo rdsb thread on RC lots of people used it with no issue... you dont get as good buffering as with aragonite but it does a little...just wash it

 

[FiReBReTHa]

Iheard from smewhere, (i read tooo many forums) that the current "southdown" is not what it used to be and the new stuff gets very cloudy.

 

[MarineManiac]

silicate sands will release silicates into your tank. i would rinse them thoroughly if considering using them. i used a bag once and never got past diatoms (silicate based) for months before i ripped it out!

 

[dbarker]

Iheard from smewhere, (i read tooo many forums) that the current "southdown" is not what it used to be and the new stuff gets very cloudy.

Yes!!!! Early in my experience I used it ONCE.. My tank was cloudy for a week. NEVER again wil do that. I also agree that if I am going to be spending money on quality corals I will not ever again use inferior sand! Just my opinion....Debbie

 

[sly fox]

i thought play sand wasnt silicon based...that black moon sand is silicon based sand tho

In my latest build I used the tropic eden sand, and iits very nice actually

 

[gnoles]

Years ago when I put up my first tank, I bought Southdown and on it's bag it said, "not for aquarium use" -- I was told that it was because they didn't want to compete with the Aquarium sand lines that they were also supplying. At any rate, it passed the vinegar test. I'd love to find it again... if only to fill my son's sandbox. *wink* *wink*

 

[cloakerpoked]

I've used playsand in my tanks for years. I'm going away from it now, but only because I wanted something "heavier" than sugar sized sand due to the high flow rate I'm planning to push through my 72. I know of several tanks that have been set up for 5+ years that are using play sand very successfully. I will say that while several of them are softy reefs, none of them are SPS dominated. I had one for 2 years that had SPS growing very well with playsand. Tank just crashed due to my kalk reactor failing on for 4 hours and jumping my pH. Had nothing to do with the playsand