Playground sand + live rock = live sand??

Phastanscottsage

I have a 15 gallon aquarium I have been using as a freshwater tank. the substrate I have is playground sand from Home Depot (I love the look of it). I have been fooling around with the idea of starting a small coral reef tank just with live rock some crabs snails and maybe a clown fish or damsel. just to tinker around. See if I really want to move onto something bigger and better. The main question I have is if I can use my substrate I currently have in my tank and make it live after time?

wake49

Play sand from Home Depot is known to have Silica in it. In this hobby, there is belief that Silica can cause a diatom outbreak. I have read arguments both for and against having soluble silica in a reef tank. I personally use 100% aragonite sand, usually CaribSea. I would rather not take the risk myself of having a diatom bloom because of excess soluble silica.

Phastanscottsage

I have read the same it seems there is a lot of arguments and it seems to be a touchy subject.I live on forums lately at work trying to do my own research before I ask questions. do you have any suggestions on where I can find 100% aragonite sand..? I kinda want to start with dead sand and make it live w/rocks no real reason besides I would like to say I created something from nothing ha ha

wake49

Louis Pasteur already disproved spontaneous generation...

jk, You can get it online at Dr Foster & Smith. This is a good deal at 30 lbs/$24.99. I paid $17 at PetSmart for 15 lbs Base Sand, and I paid $30.00 for 15 lbs of Live Sand at my LFS!!! (Just click the blue underlined words, and it will bring you to the sand)

I have probably bought about $250.00 worth of sand because I was thick and bought all Live Sand. Only the last bag I bought to put in my 150 was Base Sand. Make sure you do about 4"-6" for good denitrification!

But yes, the Live Rock will seed the sand and in no time, you will have created Live Sand!!!

Phastanscottsage

thanks soo much for your input :) I really appreciate the help