silicates & ganden rocks

[bayou_squid]

I have issues with my lfs guy. He is trying to talk me out of using beach sand, because our area has a ot of "silicates" . I think he is trying to bs me cause he want to sell me a bunch of sand.

o yea i'm trying to set up a 130 gal reef with 60 gal sump.

But this brings me to my next question. I found some amazing rocks at my local garden center. Belive is or not but it is actually ancient coral, but the problem is they now have heavy quartz growth.

Can I clean the sand and rock and test for silicates???or do I even care??? :?

 

[bayou_squid]

i know wrong forum ,but it wont let me delete it

 

[MartinE]

I dont know about whats in your choice of rock and sand as far as silicates, but the reason to try to keep silicates low is to keep algae growth down (algae uses silicates) from what I understand.

 

[minibowmatt]

do you mean using beach sand from your neghborhood beach? if so, you would be doing a lot more harm than good. Beach sand in most places is bought. it is cut heavily with silica sand. Not to mention all the polutants that are in it from public use, and dirty local ocean water. I would never put that in my system.
As for your rocks, Quartz is silica based isnt it? (geologists chime in here <<)
I dont think I would use it either. If you can find the Southdown Sand use it, otherwise buy the LS from your LFS you will save yoursefl a lot of trouble in the future if you dont try to cut too many corners now.

 

[Anonymous]

Don't confuse Silica with Silicate. Diatoms and some sponges use Silicates. Aquarium manufactuers use Silica (glass).

Beach sand will be polluted, no question about it. Can you go out to sea a mile or 2 and get sand there?

 

[minibowmatt]

most states it is illegal to take any sand or rock from the ocean I would stongly advise checking your local laws before considering this.

 

[bayou_squid]

yes i can go out 25 miles to some islands where it should be mostly clean, but yes i think it is probally illigal. so how about the rock???

 

[minibowmatt]

I wouldnt take a chance on it. you can find nice base rock for cheap, and you will know it is safe for your SW reef. If I put the rocks you mentioned in my system, I would be worried every day I am leaching something....There is a reason our Reefing equipment has become so specialized....

 

[Anonymous]

so how about the rock???

Pesticides are so common at garden stores and so devestating to a reef. I wouldn't risk it

 

[bayou_squid]

ok yall talked me out of it.. but ya should see this 400 lb boulder it would look great.

guess i'll be stacking lil ones