RMC Pacific Sands & Gravels

Nolan W. · 03-20-2005, 05:09 AM

RMC Pacific Materials's Lapis Lustre Sands and Gravels are probably the most commonly used inert substrate in the Bay Area. I saw a 50 lb. bag of sand at a LFS today for $20. I know I can find it for a lot cheaper. Does anyone know where? Their website http://www.rmcpacific.com/main.html says you can find the sands where their Salinas plant is. Are there places in SF that sell this sand besides LFS?

bigpow · 03-20-2005, 08:22 AM

I would like to know too.
I like the look of both Lapis Lustre Sand & Lapis Lustre gravel.

Another alternative:
http://www.sri-sand.com/products.htm

Nolan W. · 03-21-2005, 02:02 AM

Hey bigpow, thanks for the link.

I did a little researching and found that SRI's sand is river sand, and should contain no seashells. RMC's sand is from Monterey Bay, so it contains a small amount of shells. Shouldn't be a big problem, though. I have RMC gravel in my swordtail tank now, and the pH is around 7.2-7.5, perfect for swordtails.

I would like to try SRI's product on my next tank. Is it available in the Bay Area?

bigpow · 03-21-2005, 02:41 AM

Nolan,

As far as I know, RMC dominates South Bay market while SRI does North Bay.
I still yet to find any store in my area that carry both, however.

The closest hit was some stores in Sacramento area.
I do not want to travel 50miles just to buy a $5 gravel

magicmagni · 03-30-2005, 02:24 AM

There is a place in South City on El Camino called Broadmoor Lumber and landscape supply. I remember seeing 100lbs bags for less than $10 if memory serves me right. I don't remember the brand though, but they called it Silica sand and it came in different sizes. The packaging was brown and red.

03-20-2005, 05:09 AM	#1
Nolan W. Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 244	RMC Pacific Sands & Gravels RMC Pacific Materials's Lapis Lustre Sands and Gravels are probably the most commonly used inert substrate in the Bay Area. I saw a 50 lb. bag of sand at a LFS today for $20. I know I can find it for a lot cheaper. Does anyone know where? Their website http://www.rmcpacific.com/main.html says you can find the sands where their Salinas plant is. Are there places in SF that sell this sand besides LFS? __________________ Nolan SFBAAPS

03-20-2005, 08:22 AM	#2
bigpow Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: May 2004 Location: Petaluma, CA Posts: 750	I would like to know too. I like the look of both Lapis Lustre Sand & Lapis Lustre gravel. Another alternative: http://www.sri-sand.com/products.htm __________________ Eheim Pimp Club Member #74

03-21-2005, 02:02 AM	#3
Nolan W. Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 244	Hey bigpow, thanks for the link. I did a little researching and found that SRI's sand is river sand, and should contain no seashells. RMC's sand is from Monterey Bay, so it contains a small amount of shells. Shouldn't be a big problem, though. I have RMC gravel in my swordtail tank now, and the pH is around 7.2-7.5, perfect for swordtails. I would like to try SRI's product on my next tank. Is it available in the Bay Area? __________________ Nolan SFBAAPS

03-21-2005, 02:41 AM	#4
bigpow Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: May 2004 Location: Petaluma, CA Posts: 750	Nolan, As far as I know, RMC dominates South Bay market while SRI does North Bay. I still yet to find any store in my area that carry both, however. The closest hit was some stores in Sacramento area. I do not want to travel 50miles just to buy a $5 gravel __________________ Eheim Pimp Club Member #74

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03-30-2005, 02:24 AM	#5
magicmagni Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 660	There is a place in South City on El Camino called Broadmoor Lumber and landscape supply. I remember seeing 100lbs bags for less than $10 if memory serves me right. I don't remember the brand though, but they called it Silica sand and it came in different sizes. The packaging was brown and red.