is this the right sand - Aquarium Advice

mountaindew · 11-25-2006, 08:26 PM

is this the right sand that we can use in our aquariums.kolorscape by old castle.The bag says small amount of silica added

hc8719 · 11-26-2006, 01:07 AM

it says right on the box, Not for hardscape, aquariums, or traction.

try using crushed coral or argonite

Hara · 11-26-2006, 10:29 AM

old castle play sand is the correct sand. I do not know what the packaging looks like, so I am not of much use to you there.

As far as using crushed coral, that is not a good idea as it will be very hard to control nitrates with that as a substrate. It traps entirely too much detritus.

mountaindew · 11-26-2006, 01:27 PM

they say they have to put that disclaimer on the package,not for aquarium use but you can use it

hc8719 · 11-26-2006, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountaindew

The bag says small amount of silica added

its play sand MD, i dont think its so much a disclaimer, just to get out of legal problems, notice its not for hardscaping use also. i believe silica is posionous as well

Hara · 11-26-2006, 02:02 PM

I use plain old playsand in 5 of my tanks. I have had no issues. Sandbeds are 4 years old.

Can you tell me a source on where you heard silica is poisonous? I would be interested in reading this.

**roka64** · 11-26-2006, 03:42 PM

I agree with Hara, I know the silica based sand is more glass like and can cause problems with sand sifters/stirrers, but there are plenty of folks that use it. You can test the sand by adding a small amount of vinegar and if it fizzles/foams, that is the stuff you want.

hc8719 · 11-26-2006, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hara

Can you tell me a source on where you heard silica is poisonous? I would be interested in reading this.

i dont have a source, just years of my grandma and mom telling me "keep the silica packets away from your mouth" the ones you get from shoes...

further research revealed for me, that the hazard label was on there because its a choking hazard, not because its poisonous... my bad

in other news... finally my mom was wrong for once

**melosu58** · 11-26-2006, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hara

As far as using crushed coral, that is not a good idea as it will be very hard to control nitrates with that as a substrate. It traps entirely too much detritus.

My only suggestion would be to repeat what Lisa said here.

**roka64** · 11-26-2006, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melosu58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hara

As far as using crushed coral, that is not a good idea as it will be very hard to control nitrates with that as a substrate. It traps entirely too much detritus.

My only suggestion would be to repeat what Lisa said here.

Actually, I third that. I had a CC substrate and removed it, due to the heavy maint and the limitations on sand sifting critters.

11-26-2006, 01:07 AM	#2
hc8719 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 1,932	it says right on the box, Not for hardscape, aquariums, or traction. try using crushed coral or argonite __________________ "Atrocities are not less atrocities when they occur in laboratories and are called medical research." George Bernard Shaw

11-26-2006, 10:29 AM	#3
Hara Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Louisiana Posts: 6,867 Images: 33	old castle play sand is the correct sand. I do not know what the packaging looks like, so I am not of much use to you there. As far as using crushed coral, that is not a good idea as it will be very hard to control nitrates with that as a substrate. It traps entirely too much detritus. __________________ ~~~~~Hara~~~~~~ View My Tanks Visit FantasyReef.com's Databases!

11-26-2006, 02:02 PM	#6
Hara Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Louisiana Posts: 6,867 Images: 33	I use plain old playsand in 5 of my tanks. I have had no issues. Sandbeds are 4 years old. Can you tell me a source on where you heard silica is poisonous? I would be interested in reading this. __________________ ~~~~~Hara~~~~~~ View My Tanks Visit FantasyReef.com's Databases!

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11-26-2006, 01:27 PM	#4
mountaindew Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: north fort myers florida Posts: 73	they say they have to put that disclaimer on the package,not for aquarium use but you can use it