Sand

[DonW]

I'm thinking about getting sand for my tank. I dont want live sand. I would want pure white clean sterile sand. What and where can I get it. LFS has that "live" stuff in a bag. I want it dead as dead can be.

Thanks
Don

 

[auqua man]

I have seen lots of dead sand at my lfs. Most of the time they want way more for the live stuff, and sell it in small bags wet. Good luck it should not be a problem to find it.

 

[trido]

Blue Sierra in Issaquah sells several grades of dry sand in the 40# bag or by the pound if you just want a top off.

 

[Krish]

I've seen some people mentioning getting sand from Home Depot. It's a certain type they say to use from there, but not sure which I'm sure someone will chime in soon, but definately heard about people using play sand from HD

 

[JoshF]

So far the playsand hasn't been available in the Pacific Northwest Home Depots.

Don, didn't Mojo find some fine grade calcium sand that you and several others were using? I can't remember if that was for tanks or for calcium reactors, but either way the same source might have fine sand.

Josh

 

[NC2WA]

Don,

I bought a bulk supply of Caribsea Sugar size sand from Eric (Shark Reef.)

How much sand do you need?

 

[drummereef]

I'm thinking about getting sand for my tank. I dont want live sand. I would want pure white clean sterile sand. What and where can I get it. LFS has that "live" stuff in a bag. I want it dead as dead can be.

Thanks
Don

You do know it's going to be live once you put it in your tank, right? Caribsea makes great dry substrates. My favorite is the Fiji Pink. It's very white.

 

[DonW]

You do know it's going to be live once you put it in your tank, right? Caribsea makes great dry substrates. My favorite is the Fiji Pink. It's very white.

Yes but I dont want anyone elses funk or problems.

Don

 

[DonW]

Don,

I bought a bulk supply of Caribsea Sugar size sand from Eric (Shark Reef.)

How much sand do you need?

I really dont know, I'm thinking a inch deep 60x18 pure white Any Idea how much?

Don

 

[trido]

I would use about 3/4 of what this calculator calls for. http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/SandBed.php It claims 56lbs. so IMO a 40lbs. sack should just about do it. Also, I was just at BR and they have dry sand as well. If you havent been there it is worth the drive.

 

[Scooterman]

Funny you post this Don, I went to the New Orleans "Aquarium of Americas" & just like the Dallas & Houston Aquariums all used super white CC for a substrate. I found that they use IO salt mix for the one in New Orleans also. This has me thinking of a 1/2" or 1" CC substrate for my tank. All the LR shed I get seems to make CC piles anyways. I suck it out & in a few weeks It pops back up. Guess this would mean more work but I may, not sure If I would do a Fine sand of a CC base, to me the CC would be easier to vacuum & still keep most of it in the tank.
Carib Sea makes a wonder of either & you can get a few bags on-line of the locals rather cheap for a few bags.

 

[NC2WA]

Don,

Depeding on the LFS pricing, prepare to spend at least $35-45 for one bag of Caribsea Agramax sand. This is the clear white sand that sifts through your hand.

to get an idea what this sand looks like, check out my tank:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7329275@N05

Kirk

 

[OmarD]

So far the playsand hasn't been available in the Pacific Northwest Home Depots.

Don, didn't Mojo find some fine grade calcium sand that you and several others were using? I can't remember if that was for tanks or for calcium reactors, but either way the same source might have fine sand.

Josh

Our Pacific Northwest Home Depots carry playsand, just not the kind we need.

What you want is "Southdown" play sand...same sand as Carrib Sea..

Your Home Depot may order it for you from one of their East Coast stores, if you pay the shipping...which would be peanuts compared to the amount of money you would save...

---

I once bought 3 60lb bags of Southdown from this guy:

Idaho Saltwater Emporium
6212 W State St
Boise, ID
83703-2743

He bought it by the pallet load just for folks like us.

Savings in sand more then made up for shipping costs..

Call him and see if he still carries it.

 

[JoshF]

Idaho Saltwater Emporium
6212 W State St
Boise, ID
83703-2743 [/B]

He bought it by the pallet load just for folks like us.

Savings in sand more then made up for shipping costs..

I haven't seen anyone being able to order Southdown up here, but not to say it's impossible. It would be great if it was. Boise is a bit fair to drive, but enough people go back and forth that it might be possible to make a deal!

Josh

 

[drummereef]

Yes but I dont want anyone elses funk or problems.

Don

I'm not quite getting it... Caribsea makes dry aragonite sand. Pure aragonite. Your live rock will seed the sandbed. You won't be introducing anyones problems.