Re: [APD] Where to buy rocks and sand in Mass.

[Wright Huntley <whuntley at verizon_net>]

Tom C. wrote:
> Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2006 13:15:10 -0500
> From: "Tom C" <barteri at gmail_com>
> Subject: Re: [APD] Where to buy rocks and sand in Mass. (Terry Barber)
> To: aquatic-plants at actwin_com
>
>  I thought sand from the beach is no good for Freshwater aquariums. Too much
> salinity. And Plymouth is like 1.5 hours away from me. So I went with the
> traction sand for $4. Hope it isn't harmful for my tank.
>
> -Tom
Salinity is no problem, as it washes right out in the thorough rinse any 
new substrate should receive. Beach sand often contains bits of shell, 
which are pretty insoluble in alkaline salt water, but may raise your 
hardness a bit in fresh water if the pH is below 7.5 or so.

You can monitor the tds over time to see if the water is being altered 
by the sand. I like to keep an old GH/KH kit around to be sure any 
change is due to dissolving shell fragments, and not something else 
(like my ferts).

I have to drive 8-9 hours in winter to buy RMC Lonestar's /Lapis Lustre/ 
aquarium gravel near SF. It is mined by the beach just N. of Monterey, 
and loaded with tiny shell chips. Since my water is very soft (GH about 
3 degrees), my plants mostly appreciate the extra Ca and Mg the gravel 
brings in. YMMV.

Wright

-- 
Wright Huntley - Rt. 001 Box K36, Bishop CA 93514 - whuntley at verizon_net  760 937-2276 (cell) 

"You can hear a lot by listening"
- Yogi Berra

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