Sand Question

[George Burnt]

I want to turn my fish only tank into a reef tank, so I go to the LFS to buy
about 200 pounds of sand. The cost of the sand alone costs more than $400.

I then changed my mind about getting the sand from them. I live near many
sand quarries and I called them up to see what the sand would cost from
them. They said if I load it into my own buckets, they would sell me three
hundred pounds for $5! They say it is washed sand, and I have seen the sand,
and it is very find sand. The people who work there don't know any of the
details of it though. When asked anything they say "it's just sand" I have
no idea what this stuff is made from, but they assure me it never came into
contact with anything toxic, as it is mostly used for kid's sandboxes. Is
there anyway to know if this is safe for aquarium use? I've read that silica
sand is NOT to be used, how can I tell if this is silica sand? is there any
simple test I can do that will tell me if it is safe?

GB

[Cuprous]

toss the sand into some HF. If it is silica-based it will dissolve.

On Fri, 14 May 2004 12:32:48 -0400, "George Burnt" >
wrote:

>I want to turn my fish only tank into a reef tank, so I go to the LFS to buy
>about 200 pounds of sand. The cost of the sand alone costs more than $400.
>
>I then changed my mind about getting the sand from them. I live near many
>sand quarries and I called them up to see what the sand would cost from
>them. They said if I load it into my own buckets, they would sell me three
>hundred pounds for $5! They say it is washed sand, and I have seen the sand,
>and it is very find sand. The people who work there don't know any of the
>details of it though. When asked anything they say "it's just sand" I have
>no idea what this stuff is made from, but they assure me it never came into
>contact with anything toxic, as it is mostly used for kid's sandboxes. Is
>there anyway to know if this is safe for aquarium use? I've read that silica
>sand is NOT to be used, how can I tell if this is silica sand? is there any
>simple test I can do that will tell me if it is safe?
>
>GB
>

[Paul Schnettler]

Cuprous wrote:
> toss the sand into some HF. If it is silica-based it will dissolve.
>
just keep your fingers away from that stuff, it's bad to the bone!

[Dinky]

"Cuprous" > wrote in message
...
| toss the sand into some HF. If it is silica-based it will dissolve.
|

Erm, silica based sands are used in fish tanks often. Never seen it
dissolve before.

Depending on where you live, you could go to Home Depot and ask for
white "southdown" sand. Only available in Eastern US IIRC.

[CapFusion]

"George Burnt" > wrote in message
...
> I want to turn my fish only tank into a reef tank, so I go to the LFS to
buy
> about 200 pounds of sand. The cost of the sand alone costs more than $400.
>
> I then changed my mind about getting the sand from them. I live near many
> sand quarries and I called them up to see what the sand would cost from
> them. They said if I load it into my own buckets, they would sell me three
> hundred pounds for $5! They say it is washed sand, and I have seen the
sand,
> and it is very find sand. The people who work there don't know any of the
> details of it though. When asked anything they say "it's just sand" I
have
> no idea what this stuff is made from, but they assure me it never came
into
> contact with anything toxic, as it is mostly used for kid's sandboxes. Is
> there anyway to know if this is safe for aquarium use? I've read that
silica
> sand is NOT to be used, how can I tell if this is silica sand? is there
any
> simple test I can do that will tell me if it is safe?
>

5Buck for 300LBs? Wow. Almost it free.
They say it not contaminate with toxic and wash... then maybe ok.
Then check if there any metal in the sand. Try using a magnet and see if it
catch some metal. If no metal detected by the magnet, then, maybe it is ok.
Next step is to clean it again and test with your basic test kits and see
what reading come up. If nothing show up bad, then normally maybe ok.

CapFusion,...

[Chauncey Gardiner]

In article >, Dinky
> wrote:

> Depending on where you live, you could go to Home Depot and ask for
> white "southdown" sand. Only available in Eastern US IIRC.

I've bought it from private parties in Northern California. It isn't
sold here, but I understand they get it in the LA area.

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[David Young]

I have a DSB with silicone sand and if I recall so does Marc. Can't say that
is has caused any problems after 1 year +.
Dave Young

"Dinky" > wrote in message
. net...
>
>
> "Cuprous" > wrote in message
> ...
> | toss the sand into some HF. If it is silica-based it will dissolve.
> |
>
> Erm, silica based sands are used in fish tanks often. Never seen it
> dissolve before.
>
> Depending on where you live, you could go to Home Depot and ask for
> white "southdown" sand. Only available in Eastern US IIRC.
>
>

[Marc Levenson]

Yes, I've been using "Beach Sand" that I bought from a LFS. $10 a bucket, it
took four buckets to fill my 55g with a 4" DSB. I've had my system running 1.5
years now, and my water parameters are excellent.

If you take aragonite sand and put it in vinegar, it should bubble / fizz. That
would be a good indicator if it is calcium based. Silica sand rubbed between
your fingers will not dissolve at all.

Btw, I like my sand. If it gets blown around, it settles back down quickly. My
Conch, nassarious snails and even the Tigertail cucumber continue to process it
without complaint.

I saw a lovely reef tank a few weeks ago. It has sand-blasting material (glass
based) as the substrate, and while I didn't like the look one bit, the reef was
extremely healthy.

Marc


David Young wrote:

> I have a DSB with silicone sand and if I recall so does Marc. Can't say that
> is has caused any problems after 1 year +.
> Dave Young
>
> "Dinky" > wrote in message
> . net...
> >
> >
> > "Cuprous" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > | toss the sand into some HF. If it is silica-based it will dissolve.
> > |
> >
> > Erm, silica based sands are used in fish tanks often. Never seen it
> > dissolve before.
> >
> > Depending on where you live, you could go to Home Depot and ask for
> > white "southdown" sand. Only available in Eastern US IIRC.
> >
> >

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Ross Bagley]

Chauncey Gardiner > writes:

> In article >, Dinky
> > wrote:
>
> > Depending on where you live, you could go to Home Depot and ask for
> > white "southdown" sand. Only available in Eastern US IIRC.
>
> I've bought it from private parties in Northern California. It isn't
> sold here, but I understand they get it in the LA area.

I'd be very interested in following up on that rumor. Can you help
me with any links/info about Southdown in LA?

Regards,
Ross

-- Ross Bagley http://rossbagley.com/rba
"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature...
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." -- Helen Keller

[Richard Reynolds]

> I'd be very interested in following up on that rumor. Can you help
> me with any links/info about Southdown in LA?

its not often but it happens, there is also a place in southern san diego and in riverside
that have been known to get it sometimes. best bet is to search around reefcentral.
sometimes it just comes down to which large institution wants a big sand box.

--
Richard Reynolds

[Chauncey Gardiner]

In article >, Ross Bagley
> wrote:

> I'd be very interested in following up on that rumor. Can you help
> me with any links/info about Southdown in LA?

Unfortunately, I can't. I bought mine in the Bay Area from a private
party for $15/bag. I didn't ask him where he got it. Hm, maybe I
should bring up a truckload next time I go down there. :)

I had it in mind to check Home Depot last time I was there, but ran out
of time. I don't really need any at the moment but someday I'm going
to set up this empty 125 that's sitting in my study.

Southdown is supposed to come from Home Depot, so if you're in Southern
California I'd call around...

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[Chauncey Gardiner]

In article >, Marc Levenson
> wrote:

> Btw, I like my sand. If it gets blown around, it settles back down quickly.


The Southdown is a pain in this regard. It gets better as it "breaks
in," but it still gets where I don't want it. Like in my scrubbing
pad- hard to keep from scratching my acrylic tank.

Southdown might not be the best idea for an acrylic tank. Then again,
maybe it's best just to use glass... Hindsight is 20/20.

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[PaulB]

Southdown isn't produced anymore. Yardright is the same thing if you can
find it.

http://www.yardright.com/sand.htm#multisand

"Chauncey Gardiner" > wrote in
message
news:150520041004171871%Chauncey_Gardiner@removeth is.myrealbox.com...
> In article >, Marc Levenson
> > wrote:
>
> > Btw, I like my sand. If it gets blown around, it settles back down
quickly.
>
>
> The Southdown is a pain in this regard. It gets better as it "breaks
> in," but it still gets where I don't want it. Like in my scrubbing
> pad- hard to keep from scratching my acrylic tank.
>
> Southdown might not be the best idea for an acrylic tank. Then again,
> maybe it's best just to use glass... Hindsight is 20/20.
>
> --
> To reply by email, please edit return address as indicated.
>

[PaulB]

Would a magnet work? If there were any ferrous metal in it wouldn't it be
oxidized? And would non-ferrous metal be attracted to a magnet?

I would put some in a quarantine tank along with something to serve as a
guinea pig. It would probably be alright though.

Sand doesn't really have to be based on calcium anyway. It doesn't really
dissolve in a reef tank and if it did it would be a PITA.
Silica sand is just fine.



"CapFusion" <CapeFussion...@hotmail..,com> wrote in message
...
>
> "George Burnt" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I want to turn my fish only tank into a reef tank, so I go to the LFS to
> buy
> > about 200 pounds of sand. The cost of the sand alone costs more than
$400.
> >
> > I then changed my mind about getting the sand from them. I live near
many
> > sand quarries and I called them up to see what the sand would cost from
> > them. They said if I load it into my own buckets, they would sell me
three
> > hundred pounds for $5! They say it is washed sand, and I have seen the
> sand,
> > and it is very find sand. The people who work there don't know any of
the
> > details of it though. When asked anything they say "it's just sand" I
> have
> > no idea what this stuff is made from, but they assure me it never came
> into
> > contact with anything toxic, as it is mostly used for kid's sandboxes.
Is
> > there anyway to know if this is safe for aquarium use? I've read that
> silica
> > sand is NOT to be used, how can I tell if this is silica sand? is there
> any
> > simple test I can do that will tell me if it is safe?
> >
>
> 5Buck for 300LBs? Wow. Almost it free.
> They say it not contaminate with toxic and wash... then maybe ok.
> Then check if there any metal in the sand. Try using a magnet and see if
it
> catch some metal. If no metal detected by the magnet, then, maybe it is
ok.
> Next step is to clean it again and test with your basic test kits and see
> what reading come up. If nothing show up bad, then normally maybe ok.
>
> CapFusion,...
>
>
>

[Marc Levenson]

I believe Home Depot calls it Old Castle now.

Marc


PaulB wrote:

> Southdown isn't produced anymore. Yardright is the same thing if you can
> find it.
>
> http://www.yardright.com/sand.htm#multisand
>
> "Chauncey Gardiner" > wrote in
> message
> news:150520041004171871%Chauncey_Gardiner@removeth is.myrealbox.com...
> > In article >, Marc Levenson
> > > wrote:
> >
> > > Btw, I like my sand. If it gets blown around, it settles back down
> quickly.
> >
> >
> > The Southdown is a pain in this regard. It gets better as it "breaks
> > in," but it still gets where I don't want it. Like in my scrubbing
> > pad- hard to keep from scratching my acrylic tank.
> >
> > Southdown might not be the best idea for an acrylic tank. Then again,
> > maybe it's best just to use glass... Hindsight is 20/20.
> >
> > --
> > To reply by email, please edit return address as indicated.
> >

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Joann & Porkey]

we bought fremont handi-sand from menards home improvement store.. it is
white and silica based. we have used it for about 3 years now with no
problems. it is about 3 bucks for a 50 pound bag
"Dinky" > wrote in message
. net...
>
>
> "Cuprous" > wrote in message
> ...
> | toss the sand into some HF. If it is silica-based it will dissolve.
> |
>
> Erm, silica based sands are used in fish tanks often. Never seen it
> dissolve before.
>
> Depending on where you live, you could go to Home Depot and ask for
> white "southdown" sand. Only available in Eastern US IIRC.
>
>

[CapFusion]

"Joann & Porkey" > wrote in message
...
> we bought fremont handi-sand from menards home improvement store.. it is
> white and silica based. we have used it for about 3 years now with no
> problems. it is about 3 bucks for a 50 pound bag

Fremont handi-sand from menards?
Can you provide specific information on this? Where Fremont you are refering
to? Do you mean Fremont [city], California? I would like to check that sand
out.

CapFusion,...

[PaulB]

I would think any "play sand" would be good. It is usually cleaned to
remove anything toxic so that it can go into children's sandboxes.

Also, aragonite sand is still mined and sold, it is just a matter of finding
it.

http://www.esvco.com/ESVPRICE.html#PROD5


If you live near Utah and have a shovel:
http://www.ugs.state.ut.us/utahgeo/rockmineral/collecting/oolitic.htm

If you really want a lot:
http://www.reefers.org/groups/index.cfm?mode=thread_display&owner=01708222-9D3E-4A9D-B3BF5A968532C5F5


"CapFusion" <CapeFussion...@hotmail..,com> wrote in message
...
>
> "Joann & Porkey" > wrote in message
> ...
> > we bought fremont handi-sand from menards home improvement store.. it is
> > white and silica based. we have used it for about 3 years now with no
> > problems. it is about 3 bucks for a 50 pound bag
>
> Fremont handi-sand from menards?
> Can you provide specific information on this? Where Fremont you are
refering
> to? Do you mean Fremont [city], California? I would like to check that
sand
> out.
>
> CapFusion,...
>
>
>

[Joann & Porkey]

Hello. I made a little mistake. It is fairmount handy sand. I took a couple
pictures of the bag. let me know if you want me to send them to you. it
says it is the ideal multi purpose sand, pure washed and dries white silica
sand, all natural and non toxic. We bought it at Menards . We live in Ohio.
We have bought it in Ohio and Indiana. I'm not sure if they carry it
everywhere.
"CapFusion" <CapeFussion...@hotmail..,com> wrote in message
...
>
> "Joann & Porkey" > wrote in message
> ...
> > we bought fremont handi-sand from menards home improvement store.. it is
> > white and silica based. we have used it for about 3 years now with no
> > problems. it is about 3 bucks for a 50 pound bag
>
> Fremont handi-sand from menards?
> Can you provide specific information on this? Where Fremont you are
refering
> to? Do you mean Fremont [city], California? I would like to check that
sand
> out.
>
> CapFusion,...
>
>

[CapFusion]

"PaulB" > wrote in message
...
> I would think any "play sand" would be good. It is usually cleaned to
> remove anything toxic so that it can go into children's sandboxes.
>
> Also, aragonite sand is still mined and sold, it is just a matter of
finding
> it.
>
> http://www.esvco.com/ESVPRICE.html#PROD5
>
>
> If you live near Utah and have a shovel:
> http://www.ugs.state.ut.us/utahgeo/rockmineral/collecting/oolitic.htm
>
> If you really want a lot:
>
http://www.reefers.org/groups/index.cfm?mode=thread_display&owner=01708222-9
D3E-4A9D-B3BF5A968532C5F5
>

I have a shovel but can not use it. Utah just a bit too far for my shovel to
reach. I might as-well pay LFS price. The trip to Utah, I may purchase from
LFS a few bags [maybe 4 for 20lb(?)].

Thank for those link, especially the Utah link. I will bookmark that one for
those [newbies post] that want oolitic sand and live near there.

Humm... from reef.org, seem like I am not the only one looking for this
specialty sand. I envy those east coast people.

CapFusion,...

[CapFusion]

Oh well..... I knew it was too good of a news.
Ohio and east coast .... I wonder what west coast have that east coast do
not have?

CapFusion,...


"Joann & Porkey" > wrote in message
...
> Hello. I made a little mistake. It is fairmount handy sand. I took a
couple
> pictures of the bag. let me know if you want me to send them to you. it
> says it is the ideal multi purpose sand, pure washed and dries white
silica
> sand, all natural and non toxic. We bought it at Menards . We live in
Ohio.
> We have bought it in Ohio and Indiana. I'm not sure if they carry it
> everywhere.
> "CapFusion" <CapeFussion...@hotmail..,com> wrote in message
> ...
> > Fremont handi-sand from menards?
> > Can you provide specific information on this? Where Fremont you are
> refering
> > to? Do you mean Fremont [city], California? I would like to check that
> sand
> > out.
> >
> > CapFusion,...
> >
> >
>
>

[PaulB]

I live on the east coast and I am still looking. I am waiting for someone
to try to buy some from Marcona. If that doesn't work, I am going to try to
buy some for my "sandbox" from a landscape supply business.

I don't mind using silica sand (and I will if it is difficult to get oolitic
sand, but I would prefer the calcium sand because it is less abrasive.

If it is to difficult to get, I will put down 4" of silica and 1" of
oolitic. I need 400# so I am not going to pay fish store prices.



"CapFusion" <CapeFussion...@hotmail..,com> wrote in message
...
>
> "PaulB" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I would think any "play sand" would be good. It is usually cleaned to
> > remove anything toxic so that it can go into children's sandboxes.
> >
> > Also, aragonite sand is still mined and sold, it is just a matter of
> finding
> > it.
> >
> > http://www.esvco.com/ESVPRICE.html#PROD5
> >
> >
> > If you live near Utah and have a shovel:
> > http://www.ugs.state.ut.us/utahgeo/rockmineral/collecting/oolitic.htm
> >
> > If you really want a lot:
> >
>
http://www.reefers.org/groups/index.cfm?mode=thread_display&owner=01708222-9
> D3E-4A9D-B3BF5A968532C5F5
> >
>
> I have a shovel but can not use it. Utah just a bit too far for my shovel
to
> reach. I might as-well pay LFS price. The trip to Utah, I may purchase
from
> LFS a few bags [maybe 4 for 20lb(?)].
>
> Thank for those link, especially the Utah link. I will bookmark that one
for
> those [newbies post] that want oolitic sand and live near there.
>
> Humm... from reef.org, seem like I am not the only one looking for this
> specialty sand. I envy those east coast people.
>
> CapFusion,...
>
>
>
>

[Gottcha]

wildfires :)

"CapFusion" <CapeFussion...@hotmail..,com> wrote in message
...
>
> Oh well..... I knew it was too good of a news.
> Ohio and east coast .... I wonder what west coast have that east coast do
> not have?
>
> CapFusion,...
>
>
> "Joann & Porkey" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hello. I made a little mistake. It is fairmount handy sand. I took a
> couple
> > pictures of the bag. let me know if you want me to send them to you. it
> > says it is the ideal multi purpose sand, pure washed and dries white
> silica
> > sand, all natural and non toxic. We bought it at Menards . We live in
> Ohio.
> > We have bought it in Ohio and Indiana. I'm not sure if they carry it
> > everywhere.
> > "CapFusion" <CapeFussion...@hotmail..,com> wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Fremont handi-sand from menards?
> > > Can you provide specific information on this? Where Fremont you are
> > refering
> > > to? Do you mean Fremont [city], California? I would like to check that
> > sand
> > > out.
> > >
> > > CapFusion,...
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[CapFusion]

"PaulB" > wrote in message
. ..
> I live on the east coast and I am still looking. I am waiting for someone
> to try to buy some from Marcona. If that doesn't work, I am going to try
to
> buy some for my "sandbox" from a landscape supply business.
>
> I don't mind using silica sand (and I will if it is difficult to get
oolitic
> sand, but I would prefer the calcium sand because it is less abrasive.
>
> If it is to difficult to get, I will put down 4" of silica and 1" of
> oolitic. I need 400# so I am not going to pay fish store prices.
>

Oh well.... I thought east coaster have better luck finding it, guess I am
wrong.

CapFusion,...