About Sand

[roncgizmo]

I think I found that southdown sand everyone is talking about but it
says "Not suitable for aquarium systems" on it anyone know why? I also found
this site http://www.crabstreetjournal.com/products/substrates/playsand.html
That said it's fine. What's the deal ???
I want to change out my CC will it be ok?


Ideal for sandboxes, white Tropical Play Sand from the Caribbean is sterilized and silica-free. Multipurpose Sand is ideal for construction projects, traction control and amending garden soil. Our Pool Filter Sand is perfect for keeping pools sparkling clear.

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Helpful Tip. Since YardRight™ Tropical Play Sand has been purified at high temperatures before packaging, be sure to add some moisture to return it to its natural state. Moist sand makes for better sandcastles. Not suitable for aquarium systems and traction purposes.

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full site can be found here:
http://www.yardright.com/sand.htm

 

[Carlo]

The "Not suitable for aquarium systems" is a liability statement more then anything else. I've also heard the sand comes from the same places that CaribSea gets there sand. If CaribSea wants to get $40/40lb for aquarium sand they needed the distributors to note the "other" sand as not being suitable for aquariums.

If in doubt, put some sand in white vinegar. If it fizzes it's fine for use in your aquarium. If it doesn't fizz that doesn't mean it's not OK to use. There are people on both sides of the fence on silica (non fizz) based sand.

I don't even check my new sand. After a while you can tell what is good and not by just looking at it (not that this helps you right now).

If you want a safe sand to use to go Home Depot in the GARDEN SECTION (not concrete section) and pick up a bag of KolorScape sand. It's pure white fine grained play sand in a clear bag with blue print on it. This too will say "Not suitable for aquarium systems" but it works just fine. BTW this sand is made by the same company that sold Southdown before it was stopped being produced.

Carlo

 

[roncgizmo]

Thanks Carlo, that's just what I wanted to know. I was in home depot the other day and saw it but I wasn't sure if I could use it. ;D

 

[mott768]

Some sands are now being treated with anti bacterial treatments, I wouldn't know how to test for it but I would make sure it is just plane old sand and not treated with anything, I personally only use stuff that is specially for aquarium use. I feel it's better to be safe than sorry, so I save a few bucks, is it worth a tank crash in the future and losing all live stock? Not in my eyes... That's the question you have to ask yourself "is it worth it"

 

[Carlo]

After reading mott768's post it reminded me of something I meant to mention.

It's never a bad idea to rinse non-live sand. You can use a bucket, trashcan or anything that will hold your sand. It should be a dedicated aquarium container however so you don't have to worry about contaminants. You can stick your hose in it and run it for a while. Doing this will normally get rid of any sand silk or anything else the sand might be treated with (if any).

If you are using a sand that others haven't used before it might not be a bad idea to soak some of the sand in a container with 0 TDS RO/DI water (with a powerhead) for a day or two and then run a full test on the water (especially silicates) to see if anything shows up. This is just a precautionary step for those paranoid but I guess it's always better to be "safe then sorry."

Carlo

PS mott768 do you know any particular brands that are now treated like this?

 

[mott768]

I think the goal is all playsand will start being treated, I saw a thing on the news not too long ago about a child getting very ill from his sand box, something about a bacterial infection, long story short he had a open cut or something and was playing in the sand box, the next day child was deathly ill. Some children are known to bring food and such into the box, drop crumbs and because animals, bugs and other things get into the sand it becomes a breading ground for bacteria, this wasn't the first case it is happening a lot across the country. So now they are starting to treat sand used in sand boxes. I personally only use caribsea sand you never know what they put in the other stuff and they put the disclaimer on there for a reason. Like I said I would rather be safe than sorry!

 

[concept3]

Well, a good way to probably sterilize the sand is by using a diluted amount of regular household bleach in the cleaning water. After rinsing out, you could always use a dechlorinator to rid the excess chlorine out of the sand IMO, plus, once you start cycling the sand, any remaining chlorine should dissipate as Salt mixes usually have a natural dechlorinating ingredient in them. By mild dilute solution, I mean about 1/4 cup for every 10 gallons once, and then change out the water 2-3 times, and then add the dechlorinator with not a lot of water. Remember to mix the sand in the process or better still, soak overnight with a powerhead to circulate the water.

Good catch on the antibacterial bit, tom!

 

[Carlo]

Nice tip Merv. I've got 3 bags sitting here so I think I'm gonna try it.

Even if the sand isn't treated with an antibacterial agent this is probably still a good to use just to make sure nothing bad is in/on the sand.

Carlo

 

[concept3]

glad to be of help Carlo! I AM the crazy, unconventional one in the club you know.... who the heck else hangs an SPS frag on fishing line to see how it grows? LOL