Where to find good pool filter sand/rocks

[Demasonian]

Hello all,

I'm relatively new to the hobby and am just setting up a 75 gallon tank to be devoted to African cichlids (Mbunas). After a month or so of research, I've decided on most of what I'm going to use in the tank, but I'm having a little difficulty in locating some of it...

1) Pool filter sand - After searching around on the OVAS forum, I understand that there is a fair amount of variety in sand to be had around town. My question to you all, then, is what store stocks the best quality pool sand, preferably in a light tan to white shade (Not the greyish stuff currently on sale at Walmart...)

2) Rocks - given that we Ottawaians live at the intersection of two major rivers, I've decided to "forage" for rocks, preferably limestone for its buffering qualities. Has anybody ever used any of the stuff on the banks of the Ottawa river behind the Parliament Hill area? (more towards the back of the Supreme Court) And, more importantly, will I be shot by the NCC for borrowing a few pounds of stone? Any other good rock collecting spots for limestone?

Anyway, thanks to many of you for unknowingly providing a wealth of advice to me during my research over the last several months. This site, and the cichlid-forum (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/index.php), have been extremely valuable resources.

D.

[darkdep]

Welcome to the hobby Demasonian!  Good choice of fish (it's what I have).

About the rocks...I'm also a forager.  I have not collected from the area you're looking at, but I'd suggest you don't get seen by any officials.  I have been caught on crown trails getting stuff before and have been ordered to put it back.

[gator]

Anyway, thanks to many of you for unknowingly providing a wealth of advice to me during my research over the last several months. This site, and the cichlid-forum (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/index.php), have been extremely valuable resources.

D.

Welcome aboard, D.  I did the same thing as you, lurking around this site and learning before I took the plunge.  I had kept fish before in my late teens/early twenties (I'm now 34) but this board taught me things I'd never even heard about before concerning water chemistry, lighting, etc. etc.

[Demasonian]

Thanks for the replies! I'll keep my eyes out for "the man" when rock picking...As for the pool sand, I picked some up at Bensons on Bank St. today...Got some strange looks when I mentioned it was for an aquarium...Anyway, the stuff I bought is labelled as pool filtration crystalline aggregate or "crushed quartz" according to the website (http://www.bomix.ca/produits.php?id=26&cat=base&lang=en).

My question to everyone is, is this stuff safe to use? Is silica really just crushed quartz?

I read elsewhere that mechanically crushed quartz can be dangerous to aquarium residents due to its sharpness. Something about harming the fish as it passes through their gills. Is this truth or myth? Seems a little wives-taleish to me...

I want the tank to look good, but preferably not at the expense of the inhabitants...

[Mettle]

I know that all silica sand can be dangerous to a certain extent and that it's highly not recommended for fish like sting rays for and loaches for example, as they spend a high amount of time burrowing and such in the substrate. I don't really have an opinion on it as I haven't used it personally...

[Marx]

umm silica is inert.. they use it in pools..

the reason silica sand ain't good for stingrays or burrowing fish is cause it is coarse and will scratch up the fish.. cause infections only because it caused a wound..

[Nelson]

Rocks.....I was in Merivale SP today and they're clearing out bags of round (stream) rocks, large bags @ $10 and small bags @ $2.