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Blasting sand; Where in So.Florida?



On Sun, 14 Feb 1999 09:56:43 -0500 Bk wrote:


>Home Depot, Discount Auto, Sears...Scratch!  There has GOT to be
someone on
>the list that knows where I can find this stuff down here. Please HELP!



Bk,

Here is an idea for you.  Try looking in the yellow pages under sand and
gravel,  sandblasting, or sandblasting supplies.  If you don't have a
listing for sandblasting supplies, just call a company that does
industrial sandblasting in your area and ask where they buy their
supplies.

I just purchased a couple of 100 lb. bags of "Red Flint" #20 "Filter and
Abrasive sand" ("Red Flint" is the brand name, #20 refers to the 2-3 mm
grain size.) I purchased them from a sandblasting supply company here in
the Twin Cities area of Minnesota for $6.00 per 100 lbs.  (BTW, this is
the same gravel sold in most Twin Cities pet shops for use as aquarium
gravel for $.25 - $.30 per lb.)

As sand and gravel materials are heavy and not typically shipped long
distances, I doubt if you will find the same brand available in South
Florida.  However, my guess is that you will be able to find a similar
quartz gravel of 2-3 mm grain size. Just make sure the material you
choose is free of limestone or it will tend to harden the water in your
tank.  If unsure if the material is free of limestone, a sample can
easily be tested by adding "Muratic Acid" (sold at most hardware and
home improvement stores as a material for cleaning concrete).  If the
gravel sample "fizzes", then there is limestone present in the
material.  If it does not, then the material should be safe to use.

Another test would be to place some of the gravel material you are
considering into a small container and fill it with soft water. Test the
water first so you know its hardness. Test again after several days. If
the water gets harder, the material probably contains limestone is not
suitable for a planted aquarium.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Jay Bickford
Savage, MN