Is play sand bad?

[SaraR]

Okay, I just converted my 29g FW into SW. Yesterday, I filled up the tank with 50lbs of play sand and water (didn't get any LR yet). But some people at Nano-Reef.com are saying that using play sand is bad. Yet I see many people here using Southdown. Here is the sand that I am currently using... http://www.jollygardener.com/soil/sand.html
What do you guys think?

Sara

[HotHotHot]

Southdown is a calcium based sand, whereas standard play sand is silica based.

I've read here that standard play sand can leach silcates which will cause diatom blooms, but others haven't had any problems.

If you can, I'd try to switch to a calcium based sand (there are several, including some home depot brands), you'll have fewer problems.

HTH

[greenbean36191]

There is nothing wrong with silica based sand. It doesn't cause algae blooms, it supports just as much if not more sandbed life, and you aren't sacrificing buffering and calcium because unless your chemistry is way off anyway aragonite doesn't significantly contribute to either. Diatoms will occur in any tank regardless of the sandbed make up, and they require nutrients other than silica to grow. Silica just allows diatoms to grow instead of other algaes like hair algae. Silica is necessary for lots of marine animals, and Randy Holmes Farley actually doses it in his tank. Dr. Ron also recommends silica sand.

Make-up of the sand is immaterial. The important thing is the size of the grains.

[pfan151]

There is nothing wrong with silica the diatom thing is a myth. The only thing is that it will not help buffer your tank

[scchase]

Woohoo finally some sane remarks about he subjuct other then mine I see this come up weekly and tend to be the only one that discusses it from the scientific side of things.

[SaraR]

So the play sand I just put into my tank will be okay? I'll post a pic as soon as the water is 100% clear.

Sara

[SaraR]

BUMP

[scchase]

It is safe for your aquarium and will work just fine.

[Shoestring Reefer]

I use silica sand. No problems.

[SaraR]

Thanks for your input guys! :)

Sara