A dip into the local knowledge pool

[IceTurf]

hmm ok since you have had experience with this sand, what is a good type of hard-ware store sand to get for salt tanks? What sized particle should I avoid?

[michika]

Try to avoid extremely fine sand. The smallest you probably want to cosider going is something the consistency of white sugar.

[IceTurf]

hmmk tks for advice

[mr_alberta]

Some of the "playsand" contained silica in it I thought which could cause algae blooms? I thought I read that a while back. I could be wrong though.

[IceTurf]

sigh... anyone know if silica causes algae blooms?

[mr_alberta]

Do a search on the board and you'll find a lot of info.

[IceTurf]

hmm well aparently many types of algea and small organisms like that have/are made up of a large amount of silica

[Matt]

Almost all commercial sand is silicate. Silicates grow diatoms. Diatoms are ugly. Therefore, don't use silicate sand in a reef aquarium. I'd also worry about what else was in "commercial grade" sandbox sand. Tons of things that wouldn't worry a kid will be bad for a reef.

[IceTurf]

its not like i'm just dumping in the sand, i'll rinse it out, plus if there is a problem my filter should be able to take care of it