play sand as sand bed in reef tank

[ifarmer]

hi everyone.

Just got an okay from the wife to allow me to upgrade to a 120g this spring.

my current tank (30g) is bare bottom and works great but I think I will go with sand in my setup which is a 120g. bare bottom on small tank is okay but not bigger tank I guess

I was thinking of using play sand from home-depot or Lowes as sand bed. Perhaps let them soak in the salt water for a few months before using them.

anyone have good experience with the play sand? any issue with corals?

I would love to hear just from those that have tried out play sand. (only those that have already tried, please).


thank you
farmer

 

[fishman1069]

Play sand is silica based and will give you nothing but problems with The tank. Stay away man. Go with a dry aragonite sand.

 

[Imbarrie]

+1.

There was an aragonite based play sand distribute by Southdown. But they do not ship this anymore.
Silica sand should be avoided for many reasons.

 

[shmibly]

Plus, anything aragonite will help keep ph up!

 

[Boxfish]

Pool filter sand

I've heard pool filter sand works. Or is this a myth?

Nevermind i just googled it. HAHA I believe its the same silica based.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

Please just use caribsea aragonite sand. Dont find the cheapest route cause that will usually come back to bite you in the butt....

 

[thirty6]

How come no bb this time around?

 

[vio]

Please just use caribsea aragonite sand. Dont find the cheapest route cause that will usually come back to bite you in the butt....

+1, Never,never try to save money in this hobby, u IN or OUT, that is my opinion.

 

[Imbarrie]

There are places to save money but sand isnt one.
You can get used sand and cycle it.