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Post by seedling on Oct 3, 2006 14:13:59 GMT -5
Any one have a good source in Ontario for CP's safe sand ( no lime) ?
Thanks,
Andre
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Post by tom on Oct 3, 2006 14:43:06 GMT -5
Look for the sand used in pool filter. Hlaf of the time, it's quartz sand (1 mm). This fall, what i could find is a gritty sand, but since it is for pool, it is considered as inert, and shouldn't release mineral or influence your pH.
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Post by lloyd on Oct 3, 2006 21:17:53 GMT -5
I've used the home depot sand in the garden department for years. It doesn't seem to have any minerals at all.
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Post by seedling on Oct 4, 2006 8:08:54 GMT -5
Thanks for the answers Tom and Lloyd.
I was at home depot the other week. When I asked for sand in the green house area they told me the only sand they have is the play ground sand in rather large bags in the construction area. Has any one ever used this?
Lloyd before I go back and check again, perhaps you could give a little more detail regarding the sand that you purchase. What format does it come in? (size, brand).
Up until now I have been using silica sand sold at pet shops for salt water fish tanks, my only concern is it is very very fine and rather on the costly side.
André
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Post by tom on Oct 4, 2006 8:27:23 GMT -5
I forgot to add this : usually the sand I found for pool filter, silica or not, is sold for 5$ for 50 pounds... hard to beat as a price
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Post by biollante on Oct 4, 2006 14:26:28 GMT -5
I have used very fine aquarium gravel or coarse bird gravel for years in all my CP composts. It can add up if you need alot, but you can get good prices at Pet Valu or larger pet stores. Make sure its natural and not coloured in any way.
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Post by brian on Oct 4, 2006 15:18:09 GMT -5
Play sand will contain a lot of sedimentary alkaline stone. I get silica for I think under $10 a bag at St. Amands in St. Catharines. How far are you from the highway? I could drop off a bag next time I'm through the area.
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Post by seedling on Oct 4, 2006 16:47:24 GMT -5
Thanks all,
I stopped by another Home depot and found a product called Decor Sand by a company called Stone Mason. States its 99% Silica quartz looks like the same product I buy at the pet shop. It was $7.00 for a 22 kg bag.
I also found a course product at Rona called Horticultural sand. Any suggestions on how to test if would be safe for CP use?
While we are talking about sand has any one found a benefit to using a courser sand vs a finer sand?
Andre
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Post by lloyd on Oct 4, 2006 20:31:06 GMT -5
I cannot remember what sand I bought. Play sand sounds familiar. It has a soft feel and the bag was really heavy for me. It has worked fine. I once washed it with dehumidifier water and checked the wash-water with one of those soil-moisture meters and it was close to zero which I assume means it was very low in dissolved electrolytes. I can't remember the brand although I think it was play sand.
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Post by mabudon on Oct 5, 2006 6:26:53 GMT -5
Sedling- do the vinegar test, add white vinegar to the sand and if it bubbles it has minerals in it, if not it should be safe, seems to work okay (tho I've only found unsuitable sand with this method)
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Post by steve on Oct 5, 2006 11:24:58 GMT -5
if i need sand i go to an automotive store ..such as Carquest and pick up a bag of white lightening sand blasting sand .. its 99% silica sand and cheap i paid $5.00 for a 50lb bag 2 months ago when i built the bog
steve
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Post by seedling on Oct 5, 2006 11:50:50 GMT -5
The "decor sand" I got at home depot stated it can be used for sandblasting too.
Interesting how we all managed to get the same product sold for so many different applications, aquariums , pool filters, sand blasting, patio stone filler, decorative sand...
At least we know we will always be able to find a cheep source!
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Post by seedling on Oct 9, 2006 19:50:41 GMT -5
Just a update,
I tried the vinegar test on the Horticultural Sand from Rona (was sold next to the play ground sand and looks the same but a smaller bag) it bubbled up like crazy.
Guess I will stick with the Silica sand from Home Depot.
Andre
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