Silica sand

Mekaeel

Mekaeel

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howzit crew.was wondering if can use silca sand for a DSB and the seed it with some live sand and LR?was thinking 8cm of silca and about 5-7cm of live sand.any suggestions?
 
Why not use sea sand Mekaeel...you are close to the beach...

However, there are guys using silica sand(poolsand) as DSB.
Another alternative is maybe try using playsand.

There was a debate in another forum that silica sand might leach silicates into the water....I think
 
I would stick with the sugar fine (oolitic) aragonite. Done some reading on it and that seems to be the best.
 
Sounds good to me.

I know many aquarists that use silica sand, myself included.
 
Eish...but the price on Caribsea Aragonite is steep!

Guess it gives you what you payed for..
I use Caribsea Aragonite as a DSB with some Caribsea Aragalive...Excellent results
 
Ridwaan, I think playsand is silica based, but I am not sure of this.

There is no proof thus far as far as I know that silica sand will leach per se. The playsand I have always been using says on the bag that it is inert, does not contain metals or any cancer causing agents (not that it's applicable).

But, I must add, that if I were living close to the see I would have used natural sea sand (very fine) mixed with some oolithic aragonite.
 
I like aragonite but the price makes it near impossible for me to buy in large quantities.
 
Yeah but according to Shimek, not suitable at all because it will damage (cut) the small crustaceans and worms because of sharp edges.
 
Unfortunately my knowledge/experience is too faint to make a call on that. One would assume that a leaned person like that won't be going around spreading hogwash. But then again, stranger things have happened.

I do mix in some CC, but very little, maybe a cup per 5KG.

If there are reasons to doubt Shimek, then please share as I don't want to blindly follow certain philosophies if they are wrong.
 
nope Gal no reason, just wondering why most DSB's i've seen makes use of 2mm crushed coral. Possibly cost?
 
IMO as long as the grain size is correct you can use whatever you want (silica, crushed coral, aragonite, sea sand)

I think the claims made for aragonite (in terms of buffering) are over-rated, but if you think it looks good go for it. I would use aragonite in main display for appearance purposes only, but would not waste my money using it as a DSB substrate.

Clinton
 
palmerc said:
IMO as long as the grain size is correct you can use whatever you want (silica, crushed coral, aragonite, sea sand)

I think the claims made for aragonite (in terms of buffering) are over-rated, but if you think it looks good go for it. I would use aragonite in main display for appearance purposes only, but would not waste my money using it as a DSB substrate.

Clinton
Click to expand...

Would agree here, i have a silica bed that has been running for 4yrs and have about 62 fish in the system now with my nitrates sitting at about 3ppm
 
Len said:
What is the correct grain size for a DSB?

How do you measure it practically?

Is the fine white sand you get on beaches suitable?
Click to expand...
The general measure is sugar grain size, as for the sea sand i can't answer as i have never used it but have heard of folk that have and not had any hassels.
 
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