Sand Alternative

R

Rudy

Over my head
Dec 3, 2002
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Being a DIY whenever I can type, I am wondering if anyone knows of a proven suitable alternative to paying for the over priced reeef sand? I am not worried about the bacteria proliferation aspect since I plan to seed the new tank from a long standing nano tank. My only main concern is buffering capacity and Ca+ content. Although both can be replaced via supplement.

In summary, I am willing to suck-it-up and spend the $ on sugar sized argonite sand if I must, but if there is a reliable proven alternative, why not?

Lastly, I am so excited to be approaching the nexrt phase of my tank-build. This project has been a great test of my patience.

Thanks,
 
I used pool filter sand in my reef. 12 bucks for 100lbs.
 
sploke said:
I used pool filter sand in my reef. 12 bucks for 100lbs.
Click to expand...

You can use types of play/filter sands, but many of them are silicate based, which you do not want. Just add vinegar to the sand and see if it fizzes.

Nikko, not sure if southdown is still available over in the UK, but it isn't here in the states. However, old castle and one more, who's name has escaped me is safe. I believe it was oldcastle that southdown turned in to. And at least one of them are actually made by carib-sea, which is the same company that makes one of the expensive live sands.
 
so does the fizzing indicate good, or bad? What is the potential problem with silicates?
 
The potential problem with tiny silicate particles is that they can act as a building block for the skeletons of diatoms. However, as in what happens to aragonite sand, once a biofilm develops around the grains, there should be next to no solubility. Basically, even aragonite is very insoluble once it is coated with bacteria, so the same applies to silica sands. The only issue you may have could be an initial bloom.
 
So since the sand has been in the tank for going on two years, I probably don't have anything to worry about at this point?
 
Right, you should have no issues from it at this point.

FWIW, the fizzing of certain sands in the presence of vinegar or good ol' hydrochloric acid indicates a carbonate salt/mineral of some sort--i.e. calcium carbonate (coral sand, coral skeleton, etc.), magnesium carbonate, strontium carbonate--all of which are in aragonite.
 
Have you ever thought of going bare bottom in your display tank? I've done it twice now and plan on it again with the new build. I have sumps and use a deep sand bed in both refugiums along with the LR and Cheato. I use a 1/2" cutting board material that soon gets that coraline look to it. I can understand the nice asthetics of sand though and kind of miss it. I like being able to just vacuum out the detritus when it collects. Also, one of my tanks is acrylic so I didn't want the magnavore scratching it with a grain of sand.
Just a thought.
Tom Toro



Rudy said:
Being a DIY whenever I can type, I am wondering if anyone knows of a proven suitable alternative to paying for the over priced reeef sand? I am not worried about the bacteria proliferation aspect since I plan to seed the new tank from a long standing nano tank. My only main concern is buffering capacity and Ca+ content. Although both can be replaced via supplement.

In summary, I am willing to suck-it-up and spend the $ on sugar sized argonite sand if I must, but if there is a reliable proven alternative, why not?

Lastly, I am so excited to be approaching the nexrt phase of my tank-build. This project has been a great test of my patience.

Thanks,
Click to expand...
 
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