Where and What

Could should I buy homedepot play sand and use that? My lfs said it would be fine as long as it was washed well.

 

Yes, just make sure you rinse it (pillow cases are supposed to work well) until it is clear water coming out

Although...you probably don't wanna waste that much RO, so I'd buy a cpl bags of argonite personally. I wouldn't be willing to risk future algae issues (cyano etc.) because I went cheap in the first place.

 

Watch out with the play sand. Check its' composition. You don't want sand that has silicates.

 

+2 You can't use just any old play sand in your tank.

 

The sand you want is called "Southdown" carried by "some" Home Depots. It is sold as playground sand, but is exactly the same argonate sand sold in small bags for $$$ by marine dealers.

If your local Home Depot does not carry it, they may ship some in for you. Mine did years ago.

 

Southdown is now being sold as "Yardright/Old Castle Tropical Play Sand" so if you're lucky, you can find it at your local Home Depot:

The Crab Street Journal: Products: YardRight Tropical Play Sand

A good way to test if your sand is aragonite based is to soak it in some white vinegar. If it fizzes, it's aragonite based. If it doesn't, don't use it.

 

I was at petsmart (fyi I do not consider this my LFS cause it has no salt why is that?) anyways they had this Marine Reef substrate that was black? It looked like potting soil. is there a substrate that is black?

 

I dont want to recieve massive postings about this but....I dont intend to use RO/Di for my tank, my tuely great LFS does not use it. Water here is fine as per my tests and the annual water report. I do intend to let it sit out for like 3 days for chlorine to dissipate.