play sand - Aquarium Advice

choupic · 04-11-2006, 04:27 PM

I went to my local home depot and lowes to looked at some sand. They both have play sand but different brands. What should I look for in the sand when im buying for my 55 gal new reef tank.

thanks,
Lance

**BillyZ** · 04-11-2006, 05:04 PM

Preferably, you're looking for an argonite based sand rather than a silica based sand. You can look at this page for a close up view of the differences:
http://www.inlandreef.com/Testing/SandPhotos.html

This thread here has some more discussion on the sands:
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewto...t=compare+sand

Brenden · 04-11-2006, 06:19 PM

Put a little in a small cup and pour some vinegar on it. If it foams up it is argonite and not silica.

choupic · 04-11-2006, 11:07 PM

If it foams that means it's safe right?

Brenden · 04-11-2006, 11:09 PM

Quote:

If it foams that means it's safe right?

Yes. Foam means more than a few bubbles though. Most have a trace but if it foams good then go for it.

04-11-2006, 04:27 PM	#1
choupic Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Thibodaux, Louisiana Posts: 170	play sand I went to my local home depot and lowes to looked at some sand. They both have play sand but different brands. What should I look for in the sand when im buying for my 55 gal new reef tank. thanks, Lance

04-11-2006, 05:04 PM	#2
BillyZ Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Western NY Posts: 3,622 Images: 6	Preferably, you're looking for an argonite based sand rather than a silica based sand. You can look at this page for a close up view of the differences: http://www.inlandreef.com/Testing/SandPhotos.html This thread here has some more discussion on the sands: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewto...t=compare+sand __________________ Acronyms and Abbreviations

04-11-2006, 06:19 PM	#3
Brenden Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Piedmont, NC Posts: 3,876 Images: 32	Put a little in a small cup and pour some vinegar on it. If it foams up it is argonite and not silica. __________________ The fact that no one understands you doesn't make you an artist. If guns kill people...Spoons make Michael Moore fat.

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04-11-2006, 11:07 PM	#4
choupic Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Thibodaux, Louisiana Posts: 170	If it foams that means it's safe right?