substrate for sump can i use it??

[mustang420colvin]

Just a simple question that i want to ask you experts. Can I use a simple Home Depot play sand for my substrate in my sump of course I would cover it with a half in of live sand. I was just wanting to save some money because I have alot of the sand already on hand. You help is very welcomed

Thanks
Chris

 

[Anonymous]

Yes. If you're interested in knowing if it's calcareous or not then use some vinegar on it. If it fizzles, it's probably calcareous.

 

[Reef Guy11]

Yes, But seamaiden most of the sand has Silica in it. So he should not use just any sand. Mustang420 use Crushed Marble Play Sand from HomeDepot it is 99.9% silica Free i like it and have it on my Reef and FOWLR tanks. Go check it out on the member tank Spec. here on this board.

 

[Anonymous]

I've seen plenty of folks use a silica sand with decent results. You lose the benefits of having a calcareous substrate, yes, but it is doable. Also, if there's a question (because not all sand sold as playsand is silica), do the vinegar trick as noted above.

 

[Reef Guy11]

Thanks seamaiden for that info. I was told No stay away from that sand. but the calcareous is what you need in a Reef System right or wrong. But in anycase it isn't bad then.

 

[klingsa]

If it were my tank, silica sand is a risk that I'd prefer not to take. I'm sure it would work, but I'd be worried about the constant supply of diatom "food." I don't know if anyone has heard of this before, and I may very well be misinformed, but I have been told that microscopic silica can pretty much shred the intestines of copepods and the like. I do know that diatomaceous earth is used in some insecticides for this reason. I should say, I know that it works that way with insects, and I'm wondering whether it would aply in this case as well.

Sara

 

[esmithiii]

If it were my tank, silica sand is a risk that I'd prefer not to take. I'm sure it would work, but I'd be worried about the constant supply of diatom "food." I don't know if anyone has heard of this before, and I may very well be misinformed, but I have been told that microscopic silica can pretty much shred the intestines of copepods and the like. I do know that diatomaceous earth is used in some insecticides for this reason. I should say, I know that it works that way with insects, and I'm wondering whether it would aply in this case as well.

Sara

I think the silica fueling diatom bloom is an urban legend. I have heard of many people using silica sand without problems, but have yet to hear about someone using it with a problem.

Ernie

 

[Anonymous]

Right, esmithiii. No matter if you use silica sand or not, many people will get a diatom bloom when first setup a reef tank. And since quite a number of people used silica sand in the case, this is how I think this "reef legend" started. It only take 2 or three people who went thru the following experience to get this started.

A: "I have brown dust all over my tank, what do I do?"
B: "That's is diatom algae, what type of sand did you use?"
A: "silica sand from Home Depot, Why?"
B: "there you go! silica sand give you bad diatom bloom!"
A: "I just learn something new!"

:roll: