The sand debate....again

[bubbletip1]

OK I know this has played out before but I can’t seem to find a real answer on this topic.

I have purchased 2 bags of OLDCASTLE Sand. It’s not Southdown (thought it was ) but I have herd of many folks who have used this brand of sand successfully as well.

Does anyone have real experience with OLDCASTLE they can share? It states it is silica free but it also has the warning of “not for aquarium use”. But I also hear that the new packaging on Southdown states the same warning.

If anyone has input it would be appreciated. Don’t want to start out wrong. Thanking you all in advance.

What’s a newbie to do……………
:? :?

 

[kparton]

Don't know anything about that brand, but the Southdown package does state that it is not for aquarium use, but it's working just fine for me

 

[ereefic1]

I believe they put "not for aquarium use" as a disclaimer. Ton's of people use it without a problem. I also believe that oldcastle is southdown, compaines merged or something like that. (?)

 

[ChrisRD]

Lots of people use silica sands without a problem too.

It seems logical that the rounded particles in oolitic aragonite sand may be easier on soft-bodied sand infauna than the sharp/fractured particles in other sands, however, I'm not aware of any proof of this.

Either way, if you do a search on the board for Southdown I think you'll find the "not for aquarium use" disclaimer is more of a legal issue than anything.

IMO the sand you bought will probably work as well as anything...

 

[greenb]

Just so you know, Old Castle IS Southdown. They changed the name.

I believe on the back of the bag in really tiny print it still says South Down somewhere.

 

[bubbletip1]

8) I'm glad to hear all this news and input, sounds like I will be OK. I want to use this as a base and put my live sand on top. Thank you all again!

 

[liquid]

To verify that it's calcium carbonate, take a bit of sand and drop it in a couple ounces of vinegar. If it bubbles it's calcium carbonate.

Shane

 

[Anonymous]

That sounds good. Make sure it's calcium carbonate. If it isn's silica, then it must be calcium carbonate, because I'm not aware of anything else they make sand out of. Hope it is. Good luck.