Side-by-side equipment comparison
Aragonite Sand vs Silica Sand
Aragonite Sand vs Silica Sand side-by-side comparison. Pros, cons, when to pick each, and recommended setups for each tank type.
Aragonite Sand (CaribSea)
Pros
- Buffers pH 8.0-8.4 naturally
- Provides calcium + alkalinity
- Coralline algae attaches readily
- Sand-sifting fish eat without grit damage
- Looks tropical-reef natural
Cons
- Expensive ($25-50 per 20-lb bag)
- Dust during initial fill
- Releases trapped phosphate when disturbed
- Some grades crumble over time
Silica (Pool Filter or Play Sand)
Pros
- Cheap ($5-15 per 50-lb bag)
- Inert (no parameter changes)
- Available at hardware stores
- Range of grain sizes available
Cons
- No pH buffering
- Wrong chemistry for saltwater (NEVER use)
- Some play sand contains contaminants
- Looks less natural in display
Which to pick (by use case)
| Use case | Recommended |
|---|
| Saltwater / reef | Aragonite (CaribSea Special Grade Reef) |
| African cichlid (Lake Malawi/Tanganyika) | Aragonite |
| Planted freshwater | Silica or inert sand |
| Goldfish / coldwater | Silica |
| Discus + soft-water tetras | Silica or fluval Stratum (NOT aragonite - raises pH) |