Play sand, whats to know

[eSoteric]

I am planning to use play sand to setup a new tank. Can i use any old play sand from the depot, or are there certain things im looking for, things to avoid? I always hear the name southdown, is this a brand name?

 

[nichols]

There have been many threads here on the boards about different play sands. Enter a search for playsand here and you'll find them.

 

[eSoteric]

excellent. i didnt even know i could search, found just what i was looking for.

 

[Yaktop]

you need sand aka aragonite sand. not all sand is created equal. be careful there alot of 'poor' sand out there. I know of no play sand I would now trust, the stuff we used to use isnt available any more.

 

[eSoteric]

ya the only stuff im seeing is quickete play sand at the depot. i didnt buy it. So nowadays is there nothing safe out there? i just cant afford 200$ for aragonite from the stores, the tank is already breaking the bank. Im open to any suggestions!

 

[lori]

sand

i used kolorscape form home depot, not the best but cheap then added a layer of nice sand on top

 

[eSoteric]

im trying to find the kolorscape, so far no luck.

 

[bostontim]

im trying to find the kolorscape, so far no luck.

I got about 20 lbs of southdown and 20 lbs of white reef sand. pm me if u want it. I live in Wakefield.

Tim

 

[eSoteric]

i got 100lbs of kolorscape, made by old castle. Says right on the front, not for aquarium use? did this worry anyone else

tim, ya id love it. ill hit you with a pm in a bit and thanks for helping me out!

 

[Yaktop]

i got 100lbs of kolorscape, made by old castle. Says right on the front, not for aquarium use? did this worry anyone else

tim, ya id love it. ill hit you with a pm in a bit and thanks for helping me out!

if its aragonite it might be ok. i was told to run a magnet through the sand to see if metal fibers were present. Not sure how good of a test that is but......

 

[Jocko]

Kolorscape is not aragonite, but many have used it. All of the bulk sands say they are not for aquarium use. Didn't southdown even used to say that? They want to encourage you to buy the higher priced aquarium sand. Although these days you have to buy high priced sand if you want all aragonite.

 

[S Hunter]

Kolorscape is ok, i have it in my tank.... beware it does get alittle brown after awhile... just an FYI

 

[smithcreek]

Mine turned a bit brown also. It does have "some" calcium based sand in it, but not much. Others say they haven't had it get dingy. I wonder if it's from different batches of sand, maybe less aragonite or because I don't have any sand sifting fish or starfish, only some nassarius snails to turn the sand over.

 

[Yaktop]

aragonite is best, especially if your going to keep SPS. Its hard to skimp on products that are so important. Good luck though.

 

[Jocko]

What are the benefits of using aragonite beyond the aethestic benefits? I know there is the classic "buffering" concept, but I believe your PH has to be rediculously low for that to actually happen. Right? So, what are the other benefits?

 

[emabie]

I have used Kolorscape for my old 120 and now my 180. I also just set up a friends 150g tank with it. It woks fine. I don't think home deopt has it anymore, but good ole walmart sells it for 2.88 a bag. I have had very good luck with it.

 

[php1775]

kolorscape

hi,a friend of mine has been trying to find kolorscape everywhere so he can start up his tank.which walmart has it and how long ago did you get it?--thanks

 

[Yaktop]

........wouldnt you think the reef sand market would collapse if it was all that easy. Have at it.......

 

[S Hunter]

hi,a friend of mine has been trying to find kolorscape everywhere so he can start up his tank.which walmart has it and how long ago did you get it?--thanks

Walmart

 

[php1775]

sand

actually my friend just wants to set up his 72 gal for his 5 year old son ,and keep some damsels and other common saltwater fish only.he just doesnt have the $ for a deep sand bed at lfs prices.can anyone suggest anything else other than kolorscape since he is not going reef?--thanks