sand wont clear up

elweshomayor · Feb 27, 2012

Thatgrimguy said: ↑

"If you start with true beach sand, and don’t fracture it much, then it is very likely that you will detect little dissolution of silica from it in a few days (although I’ve not tried it), because most of the readily dissolved minerals would have disappeared long ago (or are trapped inside). But commercial play sands are not typically from beaches, and are not collected with any kind of gentleness. They are often mined from sand pits, crushed, screened, and generally treated rather roughly. This serves to break many of the grains, exposing new mineral inclusions that are then primed to dissolve. This source is, in my opinion, where most of the soluble silica comes from in “silica” sand."

From Feature Article: Silica In Reef Aquariums — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

I think we can all trust advanced aquarist right? Our manufacturing process is what causes the leaching. It's not inherent to the sand. Exactly as I have been stating.
Click to expand...

Thatgrimguy said: ↑

Silicia based sands are almost always quartz based from what I understand... I keep to my original statements. The link you provided also has absolutely nothing to do with what is called Silicia sand... But rather silicates in a natural environment. That thread has very little information that would carry into this discussion. As that is a completely different chemical make up than the sand we use.

"Quartz (SiO2) is considered "totally insoluble" in water according to the US MSDS, and is also nontoxic (although inhalation of silica has many well-documented health risks for humans -- I'll explain at the bottom if anyone cares). Yes, water is a "universal solvent" and yes, everything (including the silicone) dissolves slightly into the water over time, but the amount of dissolution is so low that it is impossible for it to make a difference to your aquarium. There certainly are highly soluble forms of silica that will increase the level of dissolved silicates in the water (such as aluminosilicate) and are likely to cause problems, but quartz sand (SiO2) is not one of them.

Source: http://www.reefs.org/library/article/r_toone9.html"

The silicia based sands in the hobby are all Quartz based that I'm aware of.

The most common constituent of sand, in inland continental settings and non-tropical coastal settings, is silica (silicon dioxide, or SiO2), usually in the form of quartz, which, because of its chemical inertness and considerable hardness, is the most common mineral resistant to weathering.

From wikipedia..

I can do this all day!! I know my sand!

Ok, one last one and i'm done.. Just don't like when someone trys to call me out as completely false.

"One of the issues that has been floating around the reef keeping hobby for a long time is the issue of whether “silica” sand actually releases soluble silica or not. It is remarkable that so many people have strong opinions on this issue, and yet so few people have ever bothered to do the easy experiment of measuring it. Many even fall for the trap of concluding that since their glass aquarium is not dissolving, then silica sand must not be either. All of the arguments against soluble silica being released from “silica” sand can be easily refuted, and I have done so in the past, but that is not the point of this article. Still, some background is worthwhile before getting to experimental results."

Source: Feature Article: Silica In Reef Aquariums — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

The sand isn't the issue. It's the form in which we manufacture it.
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So the general consensus is that it doesn't really matter as the OP already has the sand in his tank either way. Right?

To solve his problem I suggest getting a goby or some type of sand stirrer so you do not have to do it manually every time. I agree with getting a custom Clean Up Crew from reefcleaners. Plus, it is always good to have many inverts in your tank that will eat any uneaten food.
More than likely it is just a phase that your tank is going through, and silica or not, it will not last forever. :

muskrat · Feb 27, 2012

Lots of info.
I have a blue hippo, fox face, spotted gobbie, percula, three cardinals.

muskrat · Feb 27, 2012

Aragonite sand btw.

muskrat · Mar 1, 2012

I think I have Dinoflagellates.
I've read some threads on this and if it is this I'm not sure I can spend months trying to get rid of this. Suggestions?

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