quikrete all purpose sand

Question
I WANTED TO KNOW IF THE ALL PURPOSE SAND BRAN DNAME QUIKRETE THAT IS USUALLY SOLD AT LOWES AND HOME DEPOT CAN BE USED AS A ALTERNATIVE FOR THE SAND SOLD AT THE LFS STORES IN A SALTWATER FOWLR AQUARIUM OR CAN I USE POOL FILTER SAND AS A CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE TO THE HIGH COST OF SAND SOLD AT THE LFS STORES.

Answer
Hello lisa,

(all caps is like yelling in internet speak)

no, you can not use that sand.. that is 'silica' sand and it will add tons of silica to your water and cause all kinds of problems with algae...

If you can find ARAGONITE sand, or 'SOUTHDOWN' play sand, then you are good...

southdown is a brand name i believe...

this 'dry' sand will need to be seeded and will take longer to 'cycle' in your tank, but like you know, the cost of buying 'live' sand is kind of pricey

you can 'seed' dry sand with a cup for every 10-20 lbs of sand, (the more you seed the faster it will cycle)

You can use sand from an established tank to 'seed' the dry sand/


good luck

please keep me posted as to what you end up doing and how well...

Bill