Sand for SW tanks

[widdledink]

I know that this has been discussed recently on another subject, but I was wanting to know if anyone has used a silica based sand for their tanks SB? The only stuff I can find in my area is either QuickCrete's Pool Filtration Sand (which is a silica based sand) or US Silica's Play Sand...which is at my local Toys-R-Us. It too is silica based.

I have been reading about the problems with Silica Dust and the connection it has with lung cancer. Will this effect my fish? Anyone know? I have looked for either Old Kastle sand in my area (a Recomendation that OnionGirl made) and it isn't available.

Again any info would be helpful

Tanks alot.

Grady

 

[OrionGirl]

Silica is not problem in a tank. My own sand beds are silica, and the tanks are healthy and running good. We were careful not to avoid getting the dust blown around, so I can't comment on that aspect, but it works for DSB. Just get the smallest particle size you can find.

The bigger difference is that silica will not buffer your water the way aragonite will, so you need to watch pH, alk and calcium levels more closely, and supplement as needed. I haven't noticed any change in the pH, but do dose for calcium and alk.

Oh, yeah...and it's ORiongirl...

 

[frazin78]

Do Fish only tanks need to be monitored for the the Calcium levels?

Jc

 

[widdledink]

Oh, yeah...and it's ORiongirl...

DOOH!

Widdledink Feels ashamed...Sorry OrionGirl!

Thank for the info though. I am going to try the sand. Pray that it will work.

 

[OrionGirl]

No biggie--I've been called much worse, I assure you!

I prefer to monitor calcium for all tanks. It's not required for FO tanks at high levels, but things other than corals need calcium. Coralline algae won't grow without calcium, for example.

 

[widdledink]

I have noticed that my Coarlline algea doesnt do as good when I slack off on my trace element does. Speaking of that I have found the greatest stuff. It is Sea-Labs no.28 automatic replenisher. It is the BOMB! Pop in a few blocks of the stuff and I don't have to think about my trace elements for about a month. I have noticed that the more blocks I put into my system the less my coarlline algea grows. So I have lessened the dosage to only 4 blocks for my 75G. I highly recomend the stuff.