Need to add sand to DSB...HELP

[hurrifan]

I have approximately 160lbs of live sand in my 180 AGA. The brand is Bio-Active something. It is sold all over down here in florida for $20 for a 20lbs bag. I need to add more sand, but dont want to and cannot afford to add more of this sand. I would like to get info on Oolitch (spellig) sand I hear about on this board. Also, can I supplement the sand I already have with regular sterilized play sand??? It would be much cheaper and add variation of sand. Please help, with the above.

 

[FishHead1]

Go to Home Depot and get South Down play sand.

 

[hurrifan]

Thanks, that is great, but is South Down considered Oolithic (spelling). If not, what is that and should I get some?

 

[hurrifan]

I just got back from HD and all they have is sterilized play sand, but it is not called South Down. The manufacturer is Bonsal, is that the same thing or close enough to use???

 

[olgakurt]

If you are going for a DSB, then basically you want sand with as fine a particle size as possible (it will stir up and make the water cloudy until it is coated with a biofilm), preferably calcium based material.

Southdown Playsand is a calcium based sand that has a fine particle grain distribution and is cheap where available; hence its demand by reefers.

The hobbiest sands are all more $/lb.

If you decide to go the alternate route of non-calcium based playsand/masonary sand. I would recommend 'pure' masonary sand. It is more SiO2 (glass) and contains fewer impurities (heavy metals and soluble silicate) to leach in the tank. These sands are also relatively cheap.

Lastly, there are some live sands (with critters-not bioactive which just has bacteria)which are not more than the dry hobbiest grades available in your area (~$1/lb).
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BMW 326

 

[davelin315]

I'm by no means a sand expert, but oolitic sand is basically a small grain or egg covered in calcium. The Great Salt Lake in Salt Lake City is oolitic sand and it is brine shrimp eggs which have been coated with calcium deposits. I think this is what it is, but can't remember for sure, so I could be completely wrong. Oolitic sand is rounded, though, I'm sure of that. Southdown, IMO, is not oolitic, it is very very fine almost like dust. Oolitic particles are much larger.