Play sand

[jackd625]

Hey all, I'm planning on eventually switching out the sand in my tank. I'm not too huge on the black and white mix anymore.

I read that people used to use play sand called "down south sand" or something like that but its not longer available. Does anyone use anything else now as a substitute for it? Or does everyone just bite the bullet and buy expensive?

 

[Turbosnail]

Any other play sand has to many phosphates and silicates. There is always someone selling or giving away sand here.

 

[mnavick]

Check out Marco sand (marcorocks.com).
Great product and is a sponsor.

 

[Mr.Rodrigo502]

dude if u need some white sand i can give u for free just tell me about how much u need.....u hook me up before so ill return the favor........

 

[Turbosnail]

Check out Marco sand (marcorocks.com).
Great product and is a sponsor.

+1 didn't even think of Marco.

 

[stingythingy45]

Hey all, I'm planning on eventually switching out the sand in my tank. I'm not too huge on the black and white mix anymore.

I read that people used to use play sand called "down south sand" or something like that but its not longer available. Does anyone use anything else now as a substitute for it? Or does everyone just bite the bullet and buy expensive?

I have been using Pavestone sand from H.D. for years with no issues.It's very white and is the right size fore a dsb.
It also foams under vinegar.So it's mostly calcium.But that really makes no difference if it's silica sand or not.
The reply about full of silicates and PO4 is quite wrong.
I have read complaints about the mrco sand being more like silt.Blowing around under any PH conditions.

 

[inverted]

I have been using Pavestone sand from H.D. for years with no issues.It's very white and is the right size fore a dsb.
It also foams under vinegar.So it's mostly calcium.But that really makes no difference if it's silica sand or not.
The reply about full of silicates and PO4 is quite wrong.
I have read complaints about the mrco sand being more like silt.Blowing around under any PH conditions.

There is some truth the the silica, but IMO it is not an issue in an established tank. Really some silica can be beneficial as it's consumed quickly. I don't believe that there shouldn't be phosphate in silica sand though. I think the silica issue is typically completely misunderstood. Randy discusses silica here though. I have been dosing it as described in this article for a long time now with great results:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/1/aafeature1

 

[jackd625]

Check out Marco sand (marcorocks.com).
Great product and is a sponsor.

I do know about Marco sand, but I'm looking for a cheaper alternative, such as the "southdown" sand that people used to use before it went away haha...

dude if u need some white sand i can give u for free just tell me about how much u need.....u hook me up before so ill return the favor........

I may have to take you up on the eventually, thanks dude.

I have been using Pavestone sand from H.D. for years with no issues.It's very white and is the right size fore a dsb.
It also foams under vinegar.So it's mostly calcium.But that really makes no difference if it's silica sand or not.
The reply about full of silicates and PO4 is quite wrong.
I have read complaints about the mrco sand being more like silt.Blowing around under any PH conditions.

I was just looking at your 90, that sand looks good, maybe I'll give it a try

There is some truth the the silica, but IMO it is not an issue in an established tank. Really some silica can be beneficial as it's consumed quickly. I don't believe that there shouldn't be phosphate in silica sand though. I think the silica issue is typically completely misunderstood. Randy discusses silica here though. I have been dosing it as described in this article for a long time now with great results:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/1/aafeature1

Thanks for the link, it'll give me something to read today hah

 

[The_Godfreys]

I've got a couple of buckets of marco with some playsand mixed in that you could have for free. Would need to be rinsed and I agree the particle size on the marco may be a bit small. I've still got it in my tank and it is always moving around.