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	Sand
colisa lalia Enthusiast Posts: 238 Kudos: 153 Votes: 0 Registered: 13-Mar-2002	I need to buy sand for a freshwater tank that won't raise the pH. Does anyone know of a place online I can buy it? Thanks a lot.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
ACIDRAIN Moderator Posts: 3162 Kudos: 1381 Votes: 416 Registered: 14-Jan-2002	Not knowing where you are from, I would suggest you check your local hardware store for some play sand that is silicone based. It will not do anything to the ph. If you are in the states, I would suggest you look for Quick Crete brand, as it is silicone based. Many people use this brand for the same reasons you are wanting. HTH.... Also, you really should complete your personal profile to show the flag of the country you are from, so others can better help you with your querries. _____________________________________________________________ There is always a bigger fish...
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
Mike R Fish Addict Posts: 593 Kudos: 830 Votes: 322 Registered: 27-Jul-2004	Get some Quikrete Commercial sand. I get it at Home Depot but I bet you can find it anyplace that sells home improvement stuff. Lumber yards, places like that. It's silica and it's white. Mike
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
Shinigami Ichthyophile Catfish/Oddball Fan Posts: 9962 Kudos: 2915 Registered: 22-Feb-2001	Eh? I thought most sands didn't change the pH. scratches head If there were all sorts of sands that changed pH we wouldn't be all desperate for Southdown... I could be wrong, though. The Quikrete stuff works well enough, though. I have heard of the use of pool filter sand, but I forget if that changes the pH or not, although it probably does as I think about it... -------------------------------------------- The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
ACIDRAIN Moderator Posts: 3162 Kudos: 1381 Votes: 416 Registered: 14-Jan-2002	Shin, South Down (goes by another name now, as it was bought out by another company), is calcium based, and will buffer the waters hardness, and increase the ph over the long run. This is why it is so valued to use in SW tanks, so as to keep the ph up. _____________________________________________________________ There is always a bigger fish...
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
Shinigami Ichthyophile Catfish/Oddball Fan Posts: 9962 Kudos: 2915 Registered: 22-Feb-2001	Yes, yes, I know Southdown/Oldcastle buffers the pH. However, I was under the assumption that it was one of the only sands that do such a thing, otherwise this brand alone wouldn't be held in such a high regard in SW tanks. -------------------------------------------- The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
colisa lalia Enthusiast Posts: 238 Kudos: 153 Votes: 0 Registered: 13-Mar-2002	Thanks, using play sand sounds like a good idea, and I had read about it before but I wanted to see if anyone had ever actually done it.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
Calilasseia Ultimate Fish Guru Panda Funster Posts: 5496 Kudos: 2828 Votes: 731 Registered: 10-Feb-2003	Minor point to add: make sure the sand you choose has rounded granules, and not sharp edged ones. Sharp edged granules can be irritating to certain fishes. Corydoras habrosus springs immediately to mind as a result of Cory_Di's less than happy experiences with Fluorite. Even those fishes that are relatively tough will prefer sand with rounded particles, especially those that like to bury themselves such as Mastacembelid Eels. Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
jasonpisani Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 5553 Kudos: 7215 Votes: 1024 Registered: 24-Feb-2003	Remember to rinse, rinse, rinse the Sand before using it. The more you rinse it, the better. http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/s8xi5heh/my_photos http://www.deathbydyeing.org/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/ Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970. http://www.maltaaquarist.com
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54


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