Salt/fresh Water Sand Difference

Hiya, just recently aquited a 30gal tank in a consigment shop. All it came with was sand, looks like grinded up gravel and two small coral looking ornaments. So it looked like this was used for a saltwater but I'm still not too sure. Hubby is conviced it was a freshwater tank.

I want to use it for freshwater but how would I know its not meant for saltwater?

I mean I don't mind buying new sand, but I also don't mind cleaning the sand.
Added a pic just in case if there's a major difference you can tell by looking at it!

 

Looks like saltwater substrate to me. I wouldn't use it as it is probably crushed coral or aragonite.

 

Looks like saltwater substrate to me. I wouldn't use it as it is probably crushed coral or aragonite.

Thanks

 

Hi,
I tend to agree, most likely it's calcium based substrate.
Easy way to tell, get some white vinegar, and put a few drops on it.... Calcium based will start to fizz.

Now, on it's own, if you were setting up say a malawI cichlid tank, the substrate might be beneficial, however, if it was used in SW, it will be full of salt, thus you probably don't want it any type of Freshwater setup, as the salt would likely leach back into your FW.

 

Hey guys, I'm actually trying to learn about saltwater/reef tanks. I think I'm going to turn my new tank into a reef tank!
Can I use this sand? Its not alive right? Or do I need to get live sand?

And thanks Ryan. Calcium, is that a good thing for saltwater? I'm sorry I'm very much a newbie. I'm trying to learn now!

Ah, that's so cool, it did foam up!
Whatever type of sand this is, can I use it in a reef tank? As I said earlier, I'm going to learn about saltwater/reef tanks and start that up!!

 

Hi,
The sand would likely be ok for a reef, given it seems to be calcium based.
For me, the question would be what else is in the sand.... given you don't know where it came from.

IMO, sand is pretty cheap, even the aragonite based ones.... I'd be more likely just to buy fresh sand. It doesn't have to be live sand.

EDIT: Calcium/aragonite based sands help to buffer a Saltwater tank, making it easier to maintain higher pH, alkalinity and calcium levels.