silica vs. crushed coral sand

[sandworm]

I have been reading the archives regarding deep sand beds and noticed some comments regarding the use of silica sand as opposed to a crushed coral sand like southdown's product. How many of you use silica sand? Because I am in Northern California I can get 50pds of Monterey Silica sand for $4. But to purchase 300 pds of crushed coral sand would probably break the bank. Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[NaCl-H2O]

You can use either. The advantage of something like southdown is there would be some PH buffering. I have used both and would favor aragonite sand, but wouldn't brake my bank over it.

 

[ReefLion]

I have never researched this issue thoroughly, but there is some sense that the shape of silica sand particles (sharp edges) is detrimental to many LS fauna. Hopefully someone can provide some more info or a link.

Tim

 

[NaCl-H2O]

Most sand bed infana we use in our tanks is also found in tropical and nontropical waters. Nontropical sands are silica sands. I can go right down here to one of these esturaries and find all types of pods and worms and it's silica sand.

 

[ReefLion]

Fair enough. I just know I've seen that in writing here before. Hopefully someone with that notion can post it and you guys can discuss specifics.

Tim

 

[sandworm]

In my local Home Depot they have a silica sand which is apparently from the beaches of monterey. I don't know if that contains lots of feldspar or not.