A dip into the local knowledge pool

mr_alberta · #1 10-19-2007, 04:11 PM

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 · #2 10-19-2007, 04:28 PM

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

mr_alberta · #3 10-19-2007, 05:15 PM

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

IceTurf · #4 10-19-2007, 06:20 PM

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

Pier Pressure · #5 10-19-2007, 06:59 PM

Target play sand is what you need. I have it in my freshwater tank and it is great. The cloudiness in our 150 gallon tall only lasted a couple of hours after adding everything. I think you get it at Home Depot at around $5 per bag.

IceTurf · #6 10-19-2007, 07:01 PM

well other then fw is dif then sw ok,

howdy20012002 · #7 10-19-2007, 07:19 PM

thanks Pier Pressure.
I was trying to remember the type of sand I used.
target play sand from home depot is what I have used in lots of tanks and I haven't noticed any difference at all between those tanks and the other ones that have the agrimix sand.
Neal

Matt · #8 10-19-2007, 09:51 PM

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 · #9 10-19-2007, 09:59 PM

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