Lighthouse SILICA Sand ???

Discussion in 'Sand' started by TheRock, Oct 3, 2004.

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  1. TheRock

    TheRock Plankton

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
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    Location:
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    The sand in question is located here:
    http://www.u-s-silica.com/lighthouse.htm
    Silicon Dioxide - 99.5%

    I've read many articals on this so far and they all said
    except for a few that Silica sand is safe. Reasons are way too technical for me to recall...the last artical was balancing chem equations. Another justification is they do use Silica in glass...hence this is what quariums are made of...right ?

    Has anyone used this sand and had success or should it be avoided ? I plan on topping it off with Live Sand may be 1" or 2"

    Thanks,
    Chris
     
    TheRock, Oct 3, 2004
    TheRock, Oct 3, 2004
    #1

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  2. Craig Manoukian

    Craig Manoukian Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2002
    Messages:
    3,330
    Location:
    Marina del Rey, California
    Welcome TheRock!

    Silica is what lead to brown diatom blooms. Aragonite sand has bicarbonate properties which does not influence andy algeal or diatom growth, but helps with maintianing your calcium.
     
    Craig Manoukian, Oct 3, 2004
    Craig Manoukian, Oct 3, 2004
    #2
  3. Birdlady

    Birdlady Finback Whale

    Joined:
    May 8, 2004
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    Location:
    PhillySuburbs, Pennsylvania
    Most of the Home Depot's carry "Old Castle Stone Tropical Play sand" for about 5 buck for 50 pound bags....it is aragonite...has little shells etc. I just got some about two months ago... :)

    I have also heard that silica sand is crushed whatever it is...so pieces can be sharp and are not good for sand sifting creatures...cuts them etc..I do not know if that is really true tho.....
     
    Birdlady, Oct 3, 2004
    Birdlady, Oct 3, 2004
    #3