Old Castle Play sand does it need to be washed?

[labman]

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I bought 200# of playsand to set up my 150 gallon tank do I need to
wash it or do anything to it before placing it in the tank of course I
will be cycling the tank before adding anything my understanding is the
best way for cycling is put the sand in add water and salt start the
filter system up and place a couple of dead shrimp in the tank and let
them decompose let the Amonia go up and then when it drops back to
normal I can add some live rock and a couple of fish does this sound
correct?
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[graphixx]

yes I would recomend washing the sand just like you would with crushed coral. you will have some debris in there. I would put the sand in a clean plastic trash can and turn the hose on it. I did this with my substrate and left iit in there till the water ran clear, even then when you put it in the tank you will still have quite a bit of time for all of it to selttle. I have heard good things about white castle sand.

[dakar]

labman where you able to buy the sand retail recently? If so where?? There are quite a few of us still trying to hunt down a few hundred pounds or more.

[graphixx]

dakar, I have a guy here in Idaho that does landscaping. last time I talked to him ( this was in june) he had 3 pallets of the stuff!!!!!! I am not sure about now. but I can ask him for you. I am sure it would be way expensive to ship clear to WI . He bought it from a guy in Vegas that was going out of business.

[dakar]

Shipping even by slow row boat would make it cost prohibitive. Still trying to find a HD or someplace that can get it in (let them eat the shipping costs). Didn't think to check any of the landcaping companies, I'll have to call around.

[zoo-a-holic]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#It is VERY easy to get it in Canada! Its EVERYWERE!!! ahha#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[labman]

I just went to Home Depot near me in Southfield Mi they had a couple of plallots reguler beach sand was 1.99 a 50# bag the fancier white sand was 3.49 a 50# bag went for the non fancy because the white was finer sand already realized that can be a pain and it also said it contained some Silica I know some have said they have been just fine with it but I know it's debated not taking a chance on 150 gallon tank what a pain. it said on the package that it was from Michigan it was a blue bag 3 children playing and called sandbox sand or landscaping if noting else I would ask home depot or lowes if they can order it for you

[586danh]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Found Old Castle natural playsand at Walmart here in Michigan. 1.82 for 50 # bags. Also read on another site about checking the sand with vinegar and see if it fizzes does anyone now the purpose of this test#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[flame]

dakar
Check with your local Wal-Mart manager they handle the sand. If your willing to buy a pallet of the sand they should be able to get it for you.

[graphixx]

if you pour vinegar on playsand and it fizzes that means that it is calcium based rather than silica based. calcium based is the better way to go

[dakar]

Everything I've found around us lately since the Southdown went away has big old Contains Silica or silicates stickums on it and a warning about ingesting it...

Means you probably don't want to eat it or use it in your reef.