Marine Sand?

[jac8724]

Trying to put together my new tank but im unsure about this sand substrate i got. I really wanted to do white sand, but all the play sand and pool filter sand was really kinda beige/tan in color. So i went and spent $60 on three 20lb bags of this stark white marine sand because the people at the LFS said that "sand is sand" and it will be fine. However, another person at a different LFS claimed it would raise my PH. Is this true? Anyone see any major problems here? If it does raise the PH just slightly, does the fact im putting in tons of huge driftwood help balance it out?

Its made by:
Natures Ocean Premium Marine Substrates

[jm1212]

have you checked out AquaQuartz from Ace Hardware? ive got it in my 37, and its a tiny bit off from white but looks very natural. the grains are also big enough that they dont get drawn into the filter easily.

the substrate will probably raise the pH. many marine substrates are used to buffer the pH to where marine fish like it (over 8.0 i believe). it shoudlnt be a problem if you are keeping african cichlids or livebearers. make sure it is not crushed coral or live sand.

[boostnbuds]

marine sand usually is high in calcium wich raises ur ph. u should read over the package, a lot of the sand is made "look" like marine sand but is simply dyed normal sand. i have "reef" sand in one of my tanks with a ph of 6.5.

[Mgamer20o0]

depends. i would look it up on the net. there is CaribSea Aquarium Sand that makes the black moon sand also has it in white.

[ibr3ak]

On the manufacturer's site it says that it contains aragonite, which will buffer your ph as already mentioned by boostnbuds. Driftwood might lower it, but it might also not be as significant as you might want it to be, depending on the driftwood.

[jac8724]

Im still having the hardest time finding a substrate! Im gonna return that white marine sand next weekend. I would really like the AquaQuartz jm 1212 talks about, but cant find it anywhere! Called like 8 Ace Hardwares, hardly anyone heard of it and the one or two that did didnt have it in stock. Called different Lowes, Menards, Home Depots, local landscaping, home & garden centers. Everyone thought I was crazy. I think since I live in Chicago and its 3 deg. out maybe its considered a seasonal item. Is it supposed to be used for pools?

I found white gravel at pet stores, but it looks like its painted white because it has that pearlescent tone to it. From my experience painted gravel chips after time. And gravel wouldnt be my first choice anyways.

I see online that 3M makes a product called colorquartz, that is used in pools and garage floors i think. Is this the same thing? Anyone have any leads for me as to how I can get this quartz stuff? Know an online distributor?

big sigh..... thanks

[jac8724]

Oh! I do see the white CaribSea Aquarium Sand on petsmart.com Very very tempting right about now... and free shipping!

[Mgamer20o0]

i have the black stuff in one of my tanks. ill be getting more for a 10 gal very soon i think.

[jac8724]

Are water changes with sand really as big of a pain as people say? (the swirl method)

This is why i was initially attracted to the quartz stuff...but alas i cant find it.

Can the sand cause any damage to the filter? I have an Eheim classic 2215. When I stir the sand should I turn the filter off?

But overall, I think the sand looks SO nice!

[Mgamer20o0]

the black i have drops. doesnt get kicked up. i also have sponges over my intake just in case.

[jac8724]

Sorry, what are drops? How do you put sponges over the intake? somewhere i can read about it perhaps?

So if i didnt have these things sand could get in and do damage?

Sorry dont know much about this stuff but im trying!

[loaches r cool]

I'd look into how much you can get the 3M stuff for if there is a distributor close by. If your own their website, http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/ColorQuartz/HomePage/Products/Crystals/ there is a link to distributors just select the state. They have the very smooth and small sand like S grade or the coarser angular T grade, both in white.