Silica Sand in Cape Town

Discussion in 'Planted Tanks' started by goldenrose, Dec 22, 2009.

  1. goldenrose

    goldenrose

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    Hi Everybody, where can I source swimming pool silica sand in Cape Town? I am looking for a high grade sand that is hopefully pre-washed and that isnt sold by the ton lol.. i just want 10kg or so.. but willing to buy a 45kg bag...?
     
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  3. Dolphin

    Dolphin

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    builders warehouse?

    but they sell in 40Kg bags... was on special a few weeks back at R49/40kg.
     
  4. Donny

    Donny

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    Sorry for changing subject but Golden is your 1.2 still for sale?
     
  5. OP
    goldenrose

    goldenrose

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    Thats ok.. yes Donny plus whatever comes with it.. been advertising it on gumtree.. wanting to use the money to start my planted tank

    Thank you Dolphin , i will take a look at my local one.. as far as I have heard their silica sand is not pure.. its mixed with riversand which is not quite what i need...the colour is wrong and it can be messy when moving plants around
     
  6. Donny

    Donny

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    Can you put up the size and what it consists of and what price you want guy i work with is looking for a 1.2.
     
  7. neilh

    neilh

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    Pool filter sand is just silica. Or at least the ones packaged by Rolfes thats available from Builders Warehouse
     
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2009
  8. OP
    goldenrose

    goldenrose

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    I can send that to you privately Donny, apparently i am not allowed to use the classifieds yet as i need a certain number of posts before i can do that and I really dont want to break any rules, i just wanna have fun ;-)
     
  9. OP
    goldenrose

    goldenrose

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    hi Neil , i am going to go there this afternoon and check it out will post what i find....silica sand is an ideal substrate for a planted tank .. especially it you want to try out Aquascaping , i would eventually like to enter the international contests for that. Not many people I know of do it out here
     
  10. Donny

    Donny

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    Ok will wait for pm.
     
  11. neilh

    neilh

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    No its not. Silica sand is inert and will not aid a planted tank. Its what's underneath the silica that counts
     
  12. OP
    goldenrose

    goldenrose

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    Your right neil... I am using a method invented by Dr Ronald Newcomb, he uses (of all things) a layer of mulch and then the sand over that. When i have had enough posts and experience here .. I am going to open a new thread for his methods and add a link to his ideas.. it would be nice to discuss on an open forum.. i have strayed of the formula and will add a middle layer of volcanic ash soil for extra plant food.
     
  13. KiazerG

    KiazerG Sailfin Molly

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    what sand is good for a planted tank that needs to maintaina PH of 7.8-8.0? I was thinking silica but i'm sure the lack of organic matter will hinder growth, is there a way to add some sort of substrate to the silca?

    *The post above just appeared and answers my Q* thanks
     
  14. Gaawie

    Gaawie Wannabe

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  15. darryn

    darryn

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    goldenrose: I have 10kg of pool filter sand left over from a previous project. It has been prewashed (my source for pool filter sand pre-washes before selling). Let me know if you are interested.
     
  16. OP
    goldenrose

    goldenrose

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    Darryn i am very interested......how can we get together? I will send you a pm with my details.. thank you :)
     
  17. solex69

    solex69

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    @gawie - Be careful here....admins & mods don't like hyperlinks to other local forums on here. Check with them first before you do so

    Cheers
    Dale
     
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2009
  18. Gaawie

    Gaawie Wannabe

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    Ah right, ok. Thanks for the heads up Solex
     
  19. jpvd007

    jpvd007 Retired Moderator

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    Hi all


    I came across this thread while looking for silica sand today and was pleasantly surprised with with what I found further down the Google page! For anyone that it looking for Silica sand at the moment here is silica heaven...... Cape Town Silica Sand suppliers Cc 17 Cabernet Rd, Saxonberg Park, Blackheath Tel. 021 905 6499..... They have every size grain Consol silica sand available 25kg bags +- R40 per bag. I have been looking for the .65 to .8 (silica 1) for 2 months now and no LPS keeps it any more and for R40 for 25kg need I say more. they even go as small as .1 to .3 . By the way it was mentioned to me the other day by a TASA member that if you find a silica supplier with glass grade silica and it is dry not moist witch it needs to be for glass production you can prob get it cheaper just ask! Vra is vry en vry is laker.

    Regards

    Jason
     
  20. Donny

    Donny

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    But do they have black ?
     
  21. Dirk

    Dirk Dwarf Catfish

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    Donny,

    silica sand is never black, you need to get a black gravel, but this will never be from the silica sand guys.

    Kind regards,

    Dirk
     

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