Sand as Substrate?

[JazzyB!]

Hi people,

The lfs didn't have any sand, however, the local building supplies store
did. Question: Is it safe to use sandbox sand that doesn't include salt (as
stated on package) in an aquarium? Are there any special precautions one
must make?

Thanks,

Jay

[Paul]

JazzyB! > wrote in message >...
>Hi people,
>
>The lfs didn't have any sand, however, the local building supplies store
>did. Question: Is it safe to use sandbox sand that doesn't include salt
(as
>stated on package) in an aquarium? Are there any special precautions one
>must make?
>
>Thanks,

I think you just need to wash the proverbial out of it!!

[Mark]

Get the coarse silica or sandblasting stuff. It's uniform and doesn't
need washing. On the down side.....it may be too white for your
liking but I like it and use it in most of my tanks.

Mark
http://www.cichliddomain.com


"JazzyB!" <jazzybjazzy DONTWANTANY @hotmail.com> wrote in message
...
> Hi people,
>
> The lfs didn't have any sand, however, the local building supplies
store
> did. Question: Is it safe to use sandbox sand that doesn't include
salt (as
> stated on package) in an aquarium? Are there any special
precautions one
> must make?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jay
>
>

[Sarotherodon]

"JazzyB!" <jazzybjazzy DONTWANTANY @hotmail.com> wrote in message
...
> Hi people,
>
> The lfs didn't have any sand, however, the local building supplies store
> did. Question: Is it safe to use sandbox sand that doesn't include salt
(as
> stated on package) in an aquarium? Are there any special precautions one
> must make?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jay
>
I tried playground sand a couple of times but I never really could get all
the dust out of it. Always seemed to cloud the water a bit.
I've used swimming pool filter sand, silica so it won't harden your water.
But it is very light in color. Also some of it is a bit sharp, although I
have never seen any cichlids damaged by digging or sifting in it.

[JazzyB!]

Will silica change any of the water's parameters?
"Mark" > wrote in message
...
> Get the coarse silica or sandblasting stuff. It's uniform and doesn't
> need washing. On the down side.....it may be too white for your
> liking but I like it and use it in most of my tanks.
>
> Mark
> http://www.cichliddomain.com
>
>
> "JazzyB!" <jazzybjazzy DONTWANTANY @hotmail.com> wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi people,
> >
> > The lfs didn't have any sand, however, the local building supplies
> store
> > did. Question: Is it safe to use sandbox sand that doesn't include
> salt (as
> > stated on package) in an aquarium? Are there any special
> precautions one
> > must make?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Jay
> >
> >
>
>

[JazzyB!]

So where did you buy the silica sand? LFS? Hardware store? Building
supply store? Was there any particulars about the silica that I should know
about. What are the ingredients?
"Sarotherodon" > wrote in message
...
>
> "JazzyB!" <jazzybjazzy DONTWANTANY @hotmail.com> wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi people,
> >
> > The lfs didn't have any sand, however, the local building supplies store
> > did. Question: Is it safe to use sandbox sand that doesn't include salt
> (as
> > stated on package) in an aquarium? Are there any special precautions
one
> > must make?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Jay
> >
> I tried playground sand a couple of times but I never really could get
all
> the dust out of it. Always seemed to cloud the water a bit.
> I've used swimming pool filter sand, silica so it won't harden your water.
> But it is very light in color. Also some of it is a bit sharp, although I
> have never seen any cichlids damaged by digging or sifting in it.
>
>

[Paul]

I think the above subject is possibley the most commonly occuring of the
last year or so. :-)


JazzyB! > wrote in message >...
>Hi people,
>
>The lfs didn't have any sand, however, the local building supplies store
>did. Question: Is it safe to use sandbox sand that doesn't include salt
(as
>stated on package) in an aquarium? Are there any special precautions one
>must make?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Jay
>
>

[william bales]

I bought the play sand at Lowes and it works fine in my salt tanks.It is a
little more brown than aragonite.Silca sand does grow brown algae easier
than aragonite though.Not enough of a problem for me to pay $1 a lb at the
fishstore when you need 200 lbs.

"JazzyB!" <jazzybjazzy DONTWANTANY @hotmail.com> wrote in message
...
> Hi people,
>
> The lfs didn't have any sand, however, the local building supplies store
> did. Question: Is it safe to use sandbox sand that doesn't include salt
(as
> stated on package) in an aquarium? Are there any special precautions one
> must make?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jay
>
>

[Gordon James]

I second the vote for coarse sandblasting sand.


"Mark" > wrote in message
...
> Get the coarse silica or sandblasting stuff. It's uniform and doesn't
> need washing. On the down side.....it may be too white for your
> liking but I like it and use it in most of my tanks.
>
> Mark
> http://www.cichliddomain.com
>
>
> "JazzyB!" <jazzybjazzy DONTWANTANY @hotmail.com> wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi people,
> >
> > The lfs didn't have any sand, however, the local building supplies
> store
> > did. Question: Is it safe to use sandbox sand that doesn't include
> salt (as
> > stated on package) in an aquarium? Are there any special
> precautions one
> > must make?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Jay
> >
> >
>
>

[Mark]

Most lumber stores will have silica......it usually costs less than $5
per 80-lb bag. I really like it. This sand doesn't need to be washed
which is a real plus during Winter months here in North Dakota.

--


Mark
http://www.cichliddomain.com


"JazzyB!" <jazzybjazzy DONTWANTANY @hotmail.com> wrote in message
...
> So where did you buy the silica sand? LFS? Hardware store?
Building
> supply store? Was there any particulars about the silica that I
should know
> about. What are the ingredients?
> "Sarotherodon" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "JazzyB!" <jazzybjazzy DONTWANTANY @hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Hi people,
> > >
> > > The lfs didn't have any sand, however, the local building
supplies store
> > > did. Question: Is it safe to use sandbox sand that doesn't
include salt
> > (as
> > > stated on package) in an aquarium? Are there any special
precautions
> one
> > > must make?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Jay
> > >
> > I tried playground sand a couple of times but I never really could
get
> all
> > the dust out of it. Always seemed to cloud the water a bit.
> > I've used swimming pool filter sand, silica so it won't harden
your water.
> > But it is very light in color. Also some of it is a bit sharp,
although I
> > have never seen any cichlids damaged by digging or sifting in it.
> >
> >
>
>

[Robert Flory]

Check your local stores that rent sand blast equioment or some welding
supply houses. That is where I get it...at half the price the local LFS
sell in by the bag.

Bob
"JazzyB!" <jazzybjazzy DONTWANTANY @hotmail.com> wrote in message
...
> So where did you buy the silica sand? LFS? Hardware store? Building
> supply store? Was there any particulars about the silica that I should
know
> about. What are the ingredients?