^Good history to know. My main concern with hardware store sand is silicates and long term diatom blooms as a result. I'd rather pay the extra $15 to avoid that issue but it does suck to now know why I have to pay the extra :irked:.
Another noob question
- Thread starter AfishIonado
- Start date
So the hardware stores sand has silica in it? If I use tht will it cause problems down the line?
It would cost me maybe $10 to fill my tank with playsand and over $60 to use aquarium grade sand... Which will cause less problems? I don't mind spending a little more money but I don't wanna spend a sheet ton
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It would cost me maybe $10 to fill my tank with playsand and over $60 to use aquarium grade sand... Which will cause less problems? I don't mind spending a little more money but I don't wanna spend a sheet ton
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Play sand and pool filter sand are both silica based sands. Play sand is a finer, light sand. Pool filter sand is a heavier more uniform grade. If you do end up using play sand, clean it heavily. That stuff clouds BADLY at first. Pool filter sand isn't as bad in that regard.
Finer sand can look better but is lighter, so in a high flow setup (are worse, one with diggers and sandsifters) it gets kicked up very easily. I wouldn't use it. Pool filter sand is just about perfect in that regards because even if it gets kicked up it sinks very easily.
I've never noticed much of a diatom problem. I do get a build up over the course of the week of brown algae (assuming it to be diatoms) but it is no worse then the green algae that would build up over the course of the week before. Both require(d) glass scraping. The green looked nicer though.
If you want less problems though then go with aragonite. As I said earlier, it isn't a simple cheaper alternative. There are trade-offs that may or may not be worth it, depending on the individual. If you want worry-free then aragonite is the way to go. The main reason I used pool filter sand is because I knew what to expect and was willing to accept that (and it was a $100+ difference).
Finer sand can look better but is lighter, so in a high flow setup (are worse, one with diggers and sandsifters) it gets kicked up very easily. I wouldn't use it. Pool filter sand is just about perfect in that regards because even if it gets kicked up it sinks very easily.
I've never noticed much of a diatom problem. I do get a build up over the course of the week of brown algae (assuming it to be diatoms) but it is no worse then the green algae that would build up over the course of the week before. Both require(d) glass scraping. The green looked nicer though.
If you want less problems though then go with aragonite. As I said earlier, it isn't a simple cheaper alternative. There are trade-offs that may or may not be worth it, depending on the individual. If you want worry-free then aragonite is the way to go. The main reason I used pool filter sand is because I knew what to expect and was willing to accept that (and it was a $100+ difference).
Yep this is why I always spring for more expensive stuff in my SW tanks, the cheap stuff has done fine in my planted FW tanks but I rather pay a bit more now then run into some sort of trouble after the tanks established and have to change out the sand. I can get dry argo locally for under $20 for 20lbs bag its worth the peace of mind IMO.
I don't mind $20 for 20lbs if it means a safer tank. What brand do you get? My LFS is crap and won't sell much.
I think I may go Argo because it's my first tank and every little thing tht can give me piece of mind will help me out
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I think I may go Argo because it's my first tank and every little thing tht can give me piece of mind will help me out
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Caribsea or Ocean Direct are the two most common I am aware of. Lots of options for grain sizes too.
Caribsea Fiji pink seems to me to be the standard to me. A 40 lb bag should be around 40 bucks. Maybe a little more.
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Awesome!! Thanks for everything guys I'm going to go out and get sand tomorrow il keep you guys posted on my progress
My buddy just gave me the tank, can't wait to get started
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My buddy just gave me the tank, can't wait to get started
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Cool tank for sure, although its technically not a bowfront. Looking forward to the build.
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I know that's just what my buddy told me but $50 I couldn't pass it up
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