Oldcastle Sand at Manassas Southern States

[tsprice82]

Don't know if anyone is interested, but I was at the Manassas Southern States Coop store today and found that they have a pallet of Oldcastle white playsand for $3.79/bag. I bought some and did the vinegar test on the sand. It definitely fizzes, but does have some sharp edged pieces. Anyway, just thought I'd pass on the info if anyone needs sand.

[ReeferMan]

I bought some 3 years ago from there and it didnt fizz at all. Does the bag say anything about silica? How much did this stuff fizz with vinegar?

[tsprice82]

The bag does contain a silica warning disclaimer. I did a side by side comparison with CaribSea Aragonite sand. The CaribSea fizzes more but the Southern States sand is fizzing as well. My CaribSea sand is much finer grain so that may account for some of the difference. Either way, it may be good enough for a RDSB set-up.

[gsedlack]

That's good news - has anybody else grabbed some?

[dshnarw]

got a photo? might be calcite/aragonite mixed with quartz sands

[tsprice82]

got a photo? might be calcite/aragonite mixed with quartz sands

I think you are right. There are some sharp pieces that appear to be quartz, IMO. I'll try to post a pic of the bag, stand by.

[droyal1110]

So this sand would not be good in a display? =(

[tsprice82]

So this sand would not be good in a display? =(

 

Its cheap, but does have sharp edged pieces of quartz. I don't think you should use it in your display. BRK has a good price on CaribSea sand, you're probably better to pay the price for good sand in the display.

[droyal1110]

That's what I was afraid of. I'm still trying to decide on what grain size, what type, etc. I was hoping I could save some money by buying cheap play sand but I am worried about high silicates, don't want to go through that bloom again. I love my black sand but A - I'm not going to clean it and reuse it, B - Has iron flakes that well... attaches to mag floats and other things I don't want it to.

 

I might have to bite the bullet and just go with the decent stuff again. Is it better to use Caribsea sand for the DSB or just any sand (minus the silicates) will do?