Sand Info?

[MAGE_GrymN]

Does anyone have any info on the Sugar Sand or White Sand from Keller Material, Inc.
on SE Loop 410? I want to get some for my marine tank...

[Scream311]

I've used there CHEAP 25lb bags for both Fresh and Salt Tanks with no problems. Just make sure to Rinse it LIKE A MADD MAN ! Seriously it will Cloud a Tank for Days

[MAGE_GrymN]

Cool. Thanks. I guess I'll try it.

[FireWater]

I have never used anything except "reef" sand from a LFS for my tanks. I did a quick search on using play sand for reef tanks and found some interesting stuff. From what I gathered you should look for a sand that is silica free or very low in silica as the silica may aid in nuisance algae. Also, the play sand tends to compact very tightly and develop gas pockets so you should not do too deep of a sand bed with it. All of the threads I read said to wash, wash, and wash the sand repeatedly.

[MAGE_GrymN]

Yeah. That's why I don't want to get the play sand from Home Depot - it's made of Crystalline silica, but KMI has a couple of types of white sand. There isn't any info on their site about it, though, and I didn't find out about it til after they were closed. ..wanted to know if anyone has used it or if anyone has any info on it. It's only 'cause I'm really on a limited budget right now and I want to spend the least on sand and have enough for everything else so I can get the tank set up already. I plan on a 3-inch deep sand bed... well, 2 inches of dry and 1 inch of live sand on top.

[txmike]

Try the vinegar test put some sand into cup add vinegar if it starts bubbling it has calcium carbonate in it .

[Scream311]

I was concerned about Silica as well. But the staff there at Keller knows which Substrate has It and Which Dosent just be sure to ask. I too was on a tuff budget at the time shoot who am I kidding I still am. Anyhow yea they've got a half a dozen different sands to choose from just make sure to get there before 5pm they close early

[FireWater]

Called Keller this morning. They do have different types of sand available as they provide sand for "play" and other types for mixing into concrete and mortar and things like that. I think you might be ok as long as you ask. I remember hearing something years ago about using a type called southdown sand.

[hobogato]

southdown was a brand name that i think is no longer. what you are looking for is pulverized limestone.

[MAGE_GrymN]

Cool. Thanks guys. I forgot about calling them lol.. I called Home Depot about pulverized limestone and they said they didn't have any. I was going to check Wal-Mart, but I think I'll just go to Keller instead and see what they have.

[MAGE_GrymN]

Uh I'm not going there after all. I got a lot of live sand for free lol