Recommend me some sand and a place to buy

[joedokes28]

I'm buying my skimmer and powerheads today and also want to buy sand. I found this at marine depot:

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=CS0930

Is this what I want for a fowlr or is there something better?
Thanks in advance.

I'm getting close to having fish and I'm getting excited.

[MikeS]

If you have a home depot in your area, check to see if they have southdown tropical play sand. It's pure aragonite sand, and much cheaper than other commercially available sand...

Mike

[rbmount]

I think southdown is called Old Castle play sand now.I found this on another website, and I thought that I would post the info for anyone having trouble finding Southdown.

You can ask your local Home Depot to order Southdown sand, but be sure to give them this info so you get the right stuff:

SKU # 578-819
UPC # 0-210026-16865-5
Model # 420-100

The SKU is a generic number that refers to 5 different types of playsand and not just Southdown. Give the person all this info to insure you get something that will not harm your tank inhabitants!

[joedokes28]

As always, you guys are a great help.
Thanks.

[Zack]

Let me know if you find any there? Where are you located?

[joedokes28]

I'm in Phoeinx.

I'm gonna go check tonight at Home Depot.

[joedokes28]

I have looked for Southdown/OldCastle/Yardright everywhere in Az and have not had any luck. These store just look at me crazy ene after I've provided the UPC/SKU numbers. Does anyone know where you can get this stuff online or (better) locally? I'm in AZ.
Thanks,

[FishinInTheDark]

I have heard that it's only available in Michigan. Since I have family in northern Ohio, I called around to southern Michigan Home Depots and no one knew what I was talking about. I ended up buying CaribSea sand, which is made by the same company (or sister company) but much more expensive. Good luck!

[joedokes28]

I'll just bite the bullet and spend the $$ I guess.

This hobby is just so damn expensive though.

[gman0526]

Let me put it this way, you're only now buying sand, wait till you get to the LR, lightning, etc..

[joedokes28]

I'm done with most of that.

I just need sand, salt, and fish.

Saving ~$100 on sand would be nice though.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Is there a local reef club near you joe? if so you could ask around to see if anyone would be willing to give you some of the sand they may have left over. also, check to see if anyone can give you a cup or so from their tanks to help seed your new sand bed.

[joedokes28]

How would I find out? I only know one dude with a tank and he's running crushed coral which I don't want.
I could just buy a small amount of LS from the LFS I guess to get things running.

[joedokes28]

Ideal for sandboxes, white Tropical Play Sand from the Caribbean is sterilized and silica-free.
Tropical Play Sand - The smart choice... for safe play. From the Caribbean our Tropical Play Sand from YardRight™ Select is all-natural product from the Caribbean. It has a bright white color and a pure, soft feel. It's screened, sterilized and safe for kids.
Safe For Kids. Sand. Kids love it and it's great creative play. Most ordinary sand contains silica and it can turn your sandbox into a health hazard. YardRight™ Tropical Play Sand is sterilized, 100% natural Caribbean sand that is safe for all children's play areas. It's bright white color makes it the smart choice for landscapes and sandboxes.
Helpful Tip. Since YardRight™ Tropical Play Sand has been purified at high temperatures before packaging, be sure to add some moisture to return it to its natural state. Moist sand makes for better sandcastles. Not suitable for aquarium systems and traction purposes.


This is from the yardright website. Why does it say "not suitable" ?

[cich1]

just their little disclaimer, its from the caribbean so it is agronite (i think), they seem to stress that its screened (meaning sized) sterilized and silica free, sounds like something i would want in my marine tank

[FishinInTheDark]

There is some sort of non-competition contract (or whatever it's called) between CaribSea and the playsand makers. That's why it's not available everywhere. Also, I read something about oil being sprayed on playsand when it's piled in the plant to be packaged to keep it from blowing around. I don't know if it's true or not. I think it's just another tactic to get us to buy the expensive stuff.

[joedokes28]

I bit the bullet and bought 60lbs of carib sea oolitic sand- nice stuff buit expensive.