QT set-up for wrasse, Quartz vs Silica sand

[Aquanaut]

I'm preparing my qt for a 4" melanarius wrasse. I couln't get silica sand at the petstore. Any reason that I shouldn't use reptile quartz sand? Is it to fine to use? I understand that I can't use my Oolite aragonite since it may absorb any medications that may be used in his quarantining process. Please chime in gang.

 

[lvsuckerfish]

well if it is a qt why not use oolite? it will be just that for all fish you qt. with carbon you should be good to get all the stuff out.

 

[Aquanaut]

Is it ok to use Oolite aragonite?

well if it is a qt why not use oolite? it will be just that for all fish you qt. with carbon you should be good to get all the stuff out.

I thought that aragonite couldn't be used because of it's carbonite properties. Somewhere in Lee's QT info he stressed that Carbonite materials shouldn't be used due to their absorbing ability. Especially if I need to resort to using copper. Can anyone else clear my confusion on this?

 

[dogfrog]

silica sand Aka Sand blasting sand.. McLendon Hardware around $10.00 / 100lbs

 

[leebca]

You have read it properly. Carbonate based materials are not to be used in the QT, since carbonates interfere with medications, such as copper. Silica and resin based products (e.g., sand and decorations respectively) are inert and make fine additions to make the QT seem more like an aquarium, without concern of interfering with treatments.

Silica should be available somewhere -- even online.

 

[Brie]

I've used quartz "repti-sand" in many freshwater tanks(micro shrimp, triops, tetra tanks, etc) without problems. Just have to be sure to rinse the crap out of it since its not rinsed like "fish" sands are. However I'm not sure if saltwater will act differently with it. Just figured i'd add my 2 cents.

 

[Aquanaut]

Many thanks for all your info. I just didn't know if the grains were to small and somehow be detrimental to the gills of the fish. The wrasse sure loves plunging in and out of it.