I need a new substrate...

[Words]

I have experience with both silica sand and pool filter sand/play sand and if you're not wanting something that blows around real easy, I dont think switching to just straight sand will help much in that area.

 

[xEchOx]

My main concern is the silicates. I can deal with the sand moving around bit. I thought Pool filter sand was supposed to be a larger grain?

 

[Words]

My main concern is the silicates. I can deal with the sand moving around bit. I thought Pool filter sand was supposed to be a larger grain?

All of the PFS I've seen resembles sand you would find on a beach or lake. Whereas Silica is more gravel-like. Tiny, but not what you would think of as sand.

 

[xEchOx]

My silica sand looks like.... sand. Not sure what you mean by that.

 

[Words]

My silica sand looks like.... sand. Not sure what you mean by that.

So your "Silica" looks like this below...

And not this...

 

[Brooks74]

I think the OP doesnt want to use a silica based sand like PFS because it promotes diatom algae

 

[Words]

I think the OP doesnt want to use a silica based sand like PFS because it promotes diatom algae

Yes. I just dont think going with sand of any kind is a good idea if the OP doesnt want something that is easy to blow around.

 

[xEchOx]

My main concern is the silicates. I can deal with the sand moving around bit.

Right, my silica sand looks like the first pic... sand. Lol.

 

[studd muffin]

I went with Peace River from Caribesea. I know you were on that site, but did you see it on there?

http://www.caribsea.com/pages/products/super_nat.html

Grain size is 1.00 mm to 2.00 mm.

I like the Tahitian Moon sand.

 

[Pandamania]

The PetSmart store that's 30 min. away from me carries the black CaribSea, Super Naturals sand. But there's a PetSmart 20 min. away in opposite directin that doesn't carry it, and they wouldn't order it for me either. Very strange. It's $22 for 20# bag. Says no artificial dyes, paints, or coatings.