Quickrete Play Sand

[beerfish]

I've read up on this and there are mixed opinions on it, but I've decided to use 100 lbs of it in my 75g. Has anyone here used it in their tanks?

I've had my live rock in a bin of saltwater with plenty of motion for about a month now, so I'm hoping that with non-live sand and well cured rock, I'll have a pretty short (if at all) cycle. I've had a heavy bioload in my 24g and want to get the fish back into the 75 quickly.

 

[jaa1456]

I wouldn't use that, It is not a natural ocean sand. It is a man made sand, and could affect the PH and who knows what if any chemicals are in it. I do not use live sand either. I buy the Pink Samoa sand in 20lb bags. It comes from the Bahamas and Bermuda. I forget the exact name of it but most stores have it.

 

[aqob]

We have never used it but why would you want to use something thats not made for aquarium use? I understand its a cheaper alternative but what are you actually saving? Why would you want to invest thousands of dollars in livestock and take that risk to save $50.00-100.00?

 

[beerfish]

People have used Southdown Play Sand for years with no adverse effects. Most people that have used it have reported no issues. Some have concerns over the silicate levels in the sand, but most don't seem to have an issue with it. As far as the pH, it will be closely monitored and stabilized prior to adding livestock.

I'm not a new reefer and understand the risks involved. I'm simply wondering if anyone has first hand experience with the sand.

 

[wonderballz]

I have had no experience with this sand, but just FYI, I ordered my sand from marco rocks, and it seemed like a decent price for fine sand. I think it comes in 40lb boxes. I am not sure if it is cheaper than the southdown/quickcrete sand though.

If you go with the quickcrete, let us know how it works out.

 

[tosiek]

Just my .02, but our reefs are already not a real representation of natural occurring reefs with the coral we have in them now vs the argonite sand we show in the tank. And your going to add something even more displaced from anything found even close to a reef in your display which im guessing is to save a few bucks because i can't think of any other reason as there are no other benefits other than saying you tried it and it works.

Why not just go barebottom? For the price difference you will save maybe 20-40$ on a 3" sand bed in the 75. Your going to spend more than that in your testing and checking and worrying and so forth.

Anyways, just my .02.

And be careful with the upgrade, moving from a 24 to a larger tank is much different than a 60 or 70g to a larger tank as far as stability goes. Cured rock is very different than established LR from another tank and you will be tripling + some in the 75.

 

[beerfish]

Just my .02, but our reefs are already not a real representation of natural occurring reefs with the coral we have in them now vs the argonite sand we show in the tank. And your going to add something even more displaced from anything found even close to a reef in your display which im guessing is to save a few bucks because i can't think of any other reason as there are no other benefits other than saying you tried it and it works.

Why not just go barebottom? For the price difference you will save maybe 20-40$ on a 3" sand bed in the 75. Your going to spend more than that in your testing and checking and worrying and so forth.

Anyways, just my .02.

And be careful with the upgrade, moving from a 24 to a larger tank is much different than a 60 or 70g to a larger tank as far as stability goes. Cured rock is very different than established LR from another tank and you will be tripling + some in the 75.

Believe it or not, I actually prefer the look of it to almost anything I've seen for sale elsewhere. It's a plain brownish sand that reminds me of what I've seen when diving. (I'll admit, though, that the $3.00/50 lbs is also attractive. :shhh

The 75g was up and running for about 2 years until about a month ago. I broke it down to make moving easier since it didn't have much in it. The rock has been in a tub since then. It's not really an upgrade, but I may still have a small cycle.

 

[beerfish]

I have had no experience with this sand, but just FYI, I ordered my sand from marco rocks, and it seemed like a decent price for fine sand. I think it comes in 40lb boxes. I am not sure if it is cheaper than the southdown/quickcrete sand though.

FYI, it's an $84 difference for 100 lbs.

 

[duke62]

the old southdown playsand was natural sand from the caribean.it was not man made

 

[wonderballz]

FYI, it's an $84 difference for 100 lbs.

lol. I saw your post saying $3.00 for 50lbs. I realized what the draw is to the play sand!

 

[JavyJaverson]

i say go for it and report back. This hobby needs pioneers like you

 

[JavyJaverson]

After researching it a bit, i found out that many people use it in their tanks with no ill effect.

 

[beerfish]

I'm not really looking to be a pioneer, and as I said, many people have used it and say that it's fine. That's why I was just looking to see if anyone here had done it. The stuff actually looks nicer than most sand I've seen (or at least more natural), so I decided after some research to give it a try.

 

[jaa1456]

Check out the pink soamoa sand, it is the most natural looing I have seen, especialy since it is taken directly from bermuda and bahama waters and beaches.

 

[tttony]

I'm glad some one is try something a cheaper alternative besides buying this or that. Im gonna make my own base rock and use that same sand. once its cured it will be inert. As far as your choice , keep asking. Im using a medium substrate that I used for fresh water stingrays lol.I dont know what it is ! But my local fish store here in up state ny recomended it and there real good, Ive been keeping salt water fish for 28 years.

 

[STHILL]

i have the quickrete playsand in my 55gal FOWLR and the tank is spotless it has been up and running for a year now and no problems at all and the sand looks as good as it did on day 1

 

[e.muehlbauer]

What exactly is quickcrete sand? I've used Southdown in the past, and was very happy with it. I couldn't see any difference between it and ESV oolite.

 

[ellebelle]

I didn't use quickcrete in my last tank, but I did use 4 bags of dead (=cheap) sand plus 2 bags of seeded aragonite. IMO, it's worth the extra money for one or two bags of "good" sand to help you minimize the cycle.