Reef Central Online Community

Home Forum Here you can view your subscribed threads, work with private messages and edit your profile and preferences View New Posts View Today's Posts

Find other members Frequently Asked Questions Search Reefkeeping ...an online magazine for marine aquarists Support our sponsors and mention Reef Central

Go Back   Reef Central Online Community Archives > General Interest Forums > Reef Discussion

 
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01/11/2008, 12:48 PM
ACB ACB is offline
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 15
Quartz based sand

is it ok for me to use a quartz based sand in my tank?
  #2  
Old 01/11/2008, 01:52 PM
Agu Agu is offline
RC Mod
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Venice, Florida
Posts: 15,230
yes and no.

It makes a perfectly acceptable substrate.

However it's a bit coarse and sharp edged for worms and other critters that live in the sand. Also some people think a calcium based substrate helps buffer your water but I'm not sure that's a proven fact.
__________________
Less technology , more biology .
  #3  
Old 01/11/2008, 02:02 PM
greenbean36191 greenbean36191 is offline
Soul of a Sailor
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Huntsville/ Auburn, AL
Posts: 7,859
The animals in the sand don't care about the edges, but if you have an acrylic tank they can be a problem. Besides looks there's really no other reason clean quartz sand is a problem.
__________________
Lanikai, kahakai nani, aloha no au ia 'oe. A hui hou kakou.
  #4  
Old 01/11/2008, 03:06 PM
thor32766 thor32766 is offline
Keeper of Tangs
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chuluota, FL
Posts: 4,781
quite a few people use it, as mentioned the only thing is it wont buffer and some creatures dont like to live in it. otherwise your free to use it.
__________________
Everyone you meet, knows something you don't.
  #5  
Old 01/11/2008, 04:11 PM
AquaKnight407 AquaKnight407 is offline
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Orlando, Fl
Posts: 916
What's the difference between quartz based and silica based sand? (Or is there one?)
__________________
"Why is the rum always gone?"
  #6  
Old 01/11/2008, 04:31 PM
ACB ACB is offline
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 15
thanks, that helps alot. I was mainly looking for a better understanding on its buffering properties (if there is any)
  #7  
Old 01/11/2008, 08:19 PM
ksouers ksouers is offline
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: STL
Posts: 55
Quote:
Originally posted by AquaKnight407
What's the difference between quartz based and silica based sand? (Or is there one?)
It's the same thing. Quartz is silica.
__________________
Kevin
  #8  
Old 01/11/2008, 08:28 PM
poppin_fresh poppin_fresh is offline
Master of Funk
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Vermont
Posts: 1,797
Calcium based sand does not see PH low enough to buffer anything in a tank. If it did, it would dissolve and we would have to replenish it...like a calcium reactor.

I'm no geologist, but I believe that most of the worlds sea bottom is actually built on quartz based substrate. Can any one else confirm this?
__________________
I have nothing to put here because all my writers are on strike!
  #9  
Old 01/11/2008, 08:33 PM
Joshsmit56001 Joshsmit56001 is offline
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Lake Crystal, MN
Posts: 210
I used silica based sand basting sand in my old 30 gallon. I never had any problems accept that it scratched my glass if it got stuck under my cleaning magnet.
 

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:31 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Use of this web site is subject to the terms and conditions described in the user agreement.
Reef Central™ Reef Central, LLC. Copyright ©1999-2009