Sand question

[dylan p]

I'm setting up a new tank today and I'm trying to figure out what sand to use. All my aquariums have crushed coral but I'm on a budget and have seen a lot of people are using play sand. Can I get white play sand that would Match crushed coral. I would like to do some crushed coral on the bottom and play sand on top or some other sand that would match


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[Sniperhank]

Don't mix the crushed coral and sand. The sand will settle to the bottom and you'll end up with a crushed coral top.
Play sand isn't used, but pool filter sand is. Some claim that it is silicate heavy, but many members have used it with success.

[dylan p]

Well what do you use I want something finer then crushed coral that's also white and won't mess with the water chemistry


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[Sniperhank]

Agrigate based sands work. I simply bought that bagged sand. I think mine was Caribsea sand just off of limited availability in my area and had to order in.

[dylan p]

Is silica harmful to fish?


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[Sniperhank]

No, it'll feed a longer than average diatom bloom. That said, everyone has a diatom bloom in their tanks because of the silicates in our rocks and sand that naturally dies off once they are all consumed.

[tonedogz]

I think most people use the caribsea for their tanks I used it also its a little pricey at about $30 a bag

[dylan p]

I've used that also I went with silica filter sand and laid aragalive be over the top.


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[Reefing Madness]

I used X-Fine 0 Crushed Coral.