here ya go (drunktank) this is what the sand from lowes looks like

[Tonyscoots84]

drunktank here are some pics of what the 75 gallon looks like with the lowes tropical sand looks like.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

they play sand also says on some packages tropical sand its the same stuff.

 

[drunktank]

looks good how are your parameters holding up thus far?

i'm always afraid it wont be as effiecent

 

[yessongs]

Reefers prefer aragonite sand over silica based sand. Poor some vinegar on the play sand if it fizzes thats the sand you want.

 

[coralcrazy]

yea it should contain calcium carbonate aka oolitic...vinegar reacts to it...silicates will create major problems in your tank... Good luck with the play sand..

 

[inkblue]

looKs good toNy... good luck with it

 

[Tonyscoots84]

ink its not even close to ready. that pic was an older pic to show drunktank how that sand looks. ive had no problems yet with that sand. its been up and running for about 2 months and no algae bloom. water is very good

 

[inkblue]

let me know how that sand reactS in youR water... :smokin:

 

[drunktank]

yea it should contain calcium carbonate aka oolitic...vinegar reacts to it...silicates will create major problems in your tank... Good luck with the play sand..

see that my problem, i dont want to fill my tank up and have it cause chaos. then i have to take it all out. not sure wut i'm gonna do yet

 

[Deanos]

ive had no problems yet with that sand. its been up and running for about 2 months and no algae bloom.

2 months is not even close to the time frame to determine if it'll cause problems. Wait until the tank is fully stocked for a few months to see if there's any issues.

 

[coralcrazy]

the major issue is silicates...in the ocean..there are at a low level...but silicates increase algae blooms which will all know reduce 02 levels...That's why it isn't recommended to use tap water with tanks..for the fact it contains phosphates and silicates..just to name a few chemicals found in tap water..other problems are: you have do by additives which keep algae in check.which in my mind is a completly a waste of good earned money.. don't be cheap just get the 22$ bag of live sand...better to spend more then to be cheap and stock your tank, then it crashes because a red slime algae bloom..which is cause by stocking a tank to fast..and/or by to many phosphates and silicates...anyway just my 2 cents..being a science major and all

 

[drunktank]

haha u try buying a 22 dollars worth of sand to fill up a 150g tank :p

 

[DRZL]

$5 for 50lbs aragonite southdown nuff' said!

sand need not be overpriced, most of it is all the same as long as its aragonite

 

[drunktank]

$5 for 50lbs aragonite southdown nuff' said!

sand need not be overpriced, most of it is all the same as long as its aragonite

southdown is not available anymore according to the reps at homedepot

 

[DRZL]

o but it is!

its under a new name

play sand:: it comes in a blue bag w/ red letters

the company, something with "castle" is still the packager.

trust me (glances at sand) my girlie wanted a sandbed, so I had to oblige

 

[DRZL]

oh and does it fizzle?

fo shizzle!

 

[coralcrazy]

i am sure that you can find deals on sand....