Quartz vs. Silica

WendyRob · 03-11-2012, 10:22 PM

Is there a difference? One of my LFS has repackaged "Quartz" which looks exactly like Silica sold at a fraction of the price at Lowes & Home Depot. Please help

xxUnRaTeDxxRkOxx · 03-11-2012, 11:01 PM

Basically quartz = pool filter sand, and silica = play sand. It's pretty much up to you on what you like, and price wise. I've used both in different tanks, I just go with what I have on hand at the time. My 55 gallon MTS tank is capped with play sand right now because it's what I had on hand.

If you like the quartz look then go to a pool supply store to get pool filter sand, normally around $5 for 50lb bag.

Aquaticfan · 03-12-2012, 07:03 AM

I would recommend the PFS as it cleans VERY VERY easy. It also does better with syphoning the substrate surface as it doesnt get sucked out as easily. It also really keeps its color and doesnt get algae easy.

WendyRob · 03-12-2012, 04:07 PM

So I checked with all the Pool supply places in town & the only PFS available locally is Target brand #20 Silica sand. Is this the kind of PFS you use?

**Hoppy** · 03-12-2012, 06:34 PM

Quartz is silica. The two aren't synonyms but quartz is a form of silica. Silica sand and quartz sand are the same thing.

discuspaul · 03-12-2012, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoppy

Quartz is silica. The two aren't synonyms but quartz is a form of silica. Silica sand and quartz sand are the same thing.

Agree. Most sands are silica sand, and some pool filter silica sand is labelled as "quartz-based", which is what I use.
PFS and 'play' sands are both generally silica sands, but play sand is usually much dirtier, grittier, and dustier, finer-grained and less dense. This makes it much more difficult to clean initially, and to keep clean. It's finer grains and lesser density causes it to readily flow up into the water column when disturbed, and clog up filter assemblies/impellers. It's also very easily siphoned out when vacuuming, unlike PFS which isn't, due to it's density.

**oscarsx** · 03-12-2012, 07:30 PM

only complain I have against PFS is the diatom on the substrate is very noticeable. that's not even a big thing tho but it was rough on my eyes for a few weeks hehe
Sent from my DROID X2

WendyRob · 03-12-2012, 08:10 PM

Thank you for clarifying Quartz is Silica. I had my sneaky suspicions...
So Lane Mountain #30 Silica 100 lbs for $7.97 is the best price in town. Looks like I'll be doing a lot of rinsing this week. Anyone use similar sand in a freshwater deep sand bed? I'm sold on DSB due to my experience with my old reef tank. My DSB was awesome in it

discuspaul · 03-12-2012, 08:19 PM

Not familiar with Lane Mountain brand. It may even be PFS.
If it is, you'd be lucky, and you'd find it much easier to clean (very little rinsing needed) than if it's play sand.

WendyRob · 03-12-2012, 08:24 PM

It's white, but definitely dusty. Not as dirty as the 'play sand' offered locally. I didn't open the bags! I swear!

Aquaticfan · 03-12-2012, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WendyRob

Thank you for clarifying Quartz is Silica. I had my sneaky suspicions...
So Lane Mountain #30 Silica 100 lbs for $7.97 is the best price in town. Looks like I'll be doing a lot of rinsing this week. Anyone use similar sand in a freshwater deep sand bed? I'm sold on DSB due to my experience with my old reef tank. My DSB was awesome in it

One thing to remember. Is in a reef the sand has life, there fore you don't get the pockets of bad gas in the substrate. In a fresh water tank It's different. I wouldn't go over 3" deep and then I would get some mts to help keep the sand bed active. Just my opinion anyhow.

WendyRob · 03-12-2012, 09:15 PM

Certainly MTS, also live california blackworms & planaria are all on my 'need to hunt down at no cost' list. Do you have a reason for the 3" depth limit? Just curious, trying to gather as much info as possible before I take the plunge...Seems like I see some very deep slopes in Amano style aquariums...

discuspaul · 03-12-2012, 09:29 PM

Difficult to be specific about depth of sand which may induce the formation of gas pockets. Depends a lot on how fine-grained it is and how much it compacts.
Generally speaking though, it seems the experience of many aquarists is that sand less than 2" or 2.5" deep gets enough oxygenation to preclude anaerobic pockets from forming, whereas sand over 3" deep has a much greater incidence of this occuring.

3" or less seems to be a reasonable safe point in this regard, while still providing sufficient depth for plant root development and growth. But the larger the grain size, the less heavy compaction, and the more oxygen will reach the greater depth of the sand.

BTW Wendy, where are getting your white sand - what type of store ?

WendyRob · 03-12-2012, 09:32 PM

They have it at Lowe's & Home Depot around here. The cheapest I could find PFS was $13/50 lb bag and I figured since it's silica too I might as well save a few bucks

discuspaul · 03-12-2012, 09:57 PM

Yes, but remember - you get what you pay for - usually the lesser the cost, the lower the quality, and that applies to sand for sure.
Spend a few extra bucks on the PFS and it'll be well worth it, believe me.
Far less 'headaches' - unsatisfactory experience and frustration, not to mention possibly less natural coloration imo.
$13. for a 50 lb. bag is very inexpensive cost for a good substrate.

03-11-2012, 10:22 PM	#1
WendyRob Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 79	Quartz vs. Silica Is there a difference? One of my LFS has repackaged "Quartz" which looks exactly like Silica sold at a fraction of the price at Lowes & Home Depot. Please help

03-12-2012, 06:34 PM	#5
Hoppy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (54/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 17,215	Quartz is silica. The two aren't synonyms but quartz is a form of silica. Silica sand and quartz sand are the same thing. __________________ Hoppy

03-12-2012, 07:30 PM	#7
oscarsx Discus freak (View User Tanks) PTrader: (11/100%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: The High Desert, CA Posts: 860	only complain I have against PFS is the diatom on the substrate is very noticeable. that's not even a big thing tho but it was rough on my eyes for a few weeks hehe Sent from my DROID X2 __________________

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03-11-2012, 11:01 PM	#2
xxUnRaTeDxxRkOxx Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Denver, CO. Posts: 422	Basically quartz = pool filter sand, and silica = play sand. It's pretty much up to you on what you like, and price wise. I've used both in different tanks, I just go with what I have on hand at the time. My 55 gallon MTS tank is capped with play sand right now because it's what I had on hand. If you like the quartz look then go to a pool supply store to get pool filter sand, normally around $5 for 50lb bag. __________________ You can check out my tanks here http://mikesaquariums.webs.com/

03-12-2012, 07:03 AM	#3
Aquaticfan Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (12/100%) Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: USA Posts: 1,200	I would recommend the PFS as it cleans VERY VERY easy. It also does better with syphoning the substrate surface as it doesnt get sucked out as easily. It also really keeps its color and doesnt get algae easy. __________________ Sun Sun pimp #72 RAOK CLUB # 68 Conway

03-12-2012, 04:07 PM	#4
WendyRob Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 79	So I checked with all the Pool supply places in town & the only PFS available locally is Target brand #20 Silica sand. Is this the kind of PFS you use?

03-12-2012, 08:10 PM	#8
WendyRob Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 79	Thank you for clarifying Quartz is Silica. I had my sneaky suspicions... So Lane Mountain #30 Silica 100 lbs for $7.97 is the best price in town. Looks like I'll be doing a lot of rinsing this week. Anyone use similar sand in a freshwater deep sand bed? I'm sold on DSB due to my experience with my old reef tank. My DSB was awesome in it

03-12-2012, 08:19 PM	#9
discuspaul Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 1,589	Not familiar with Lane Mountain brand. It may even be PFS. If it is, you'd be lucky, and you'd find it much easier to clean (very little rinsing needed) than if it's play sand.

03-12-2012, 08:24 PM	#10
WendyRob Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 79	It's white, but definitely dusty. Not as dirty as the 'play sand' offered locally. I didn't open the bags! I swear!

03-12-2012, 09:15 PM	#12
WendyRob Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 79	Certainly MTS, also live california blackworms & planaria are all on my 'need to hunt down at no cost' list. Do you have a reason for the 3" depth limit? Just curious, trying to gather as much info as possible before I take the plunge...Seems like I see some very deep slopes in Amano style aquariums...

03-12-2012, 09:29 PM	#13
discuspaul Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 1,589	Difficult to be specific about depth of sand which may induce the formation of gas pockets. Depends a lot on how fine-grained it is and how much it compacts. Generally speaking though, it seems the experience of many aquarists is that sand less than 2" or 2.5" deep gets enough oxygenation to preclude anaerobic pockets from forming, whereas sand over 3" deep has a much greater incidence of this occuring. 3" or less seems to be a reasonable safe point in this regard, while still providing sufficient depth for plant root development and growth. But the larger the grain size, the less heavy compaction, and the more oxygen will reach the greater depth of the sand. BTW Wendy, where are getting your white sand - what type of store ?

03-12-2012, 09:32 PM	#14
WendyRob Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 79	They have it at Lowe's & Home Depot around here. The cheapest I could find PFS was $13/50 lb bag and I figured since it's silica too I might as well save a few bucks

03-12-2012, 09:57 PM	#15
discuspaul Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 1,589	Yes, but remember - you get what you pay for - usually the lesser the cost, the lower the quality, and that applies to sand for sure. Spend a few extra bucks on the PFS and it'll be well worth it, believe me. Far less 'headaches' - unsatisfactory experience and frustration, not to mention possibly less natural coloration imo. $13. for a 50 lb. bag is very inexpensive cost for a good substrate.