If time were $$

[dsb1829]

Well it is. For some of you more than others. I am really starting to think that with the amount of time spent searching for the cheepest alternative doesn't equate to the savings incurred. I speak in reference to the mythical Southdown play sand. I understand the amount of money that can be saved setting up something in the 150g plus range, but for the most part it seems that most have smaller tanks. This translates to a minimal savings over ESV or other online sand source.

The only way the stuff is a good deal is if you can go to your local Home Depot and pick it up directly. For all those that can I am very jealous. For the rest of us miserable chumps the likelyhood of it saving any $$ is slim and the probability of wasting 3-6 hours searching for it is high.

For average Joe setting up a 75g reef. A 4" sandbed could be acheived with about 200lb of sand. From ESV direct Oolitic sand is $21/50lb bag. So we have $84 in sand that is needed. Now the bad news, it has to be shipped. Worst case shipping scenario is $68 according to the UPS shipping chart. You pay $152 for 200lb delivered to your door. Not to bad, but it makes you want to cry paying $.76/lb when Southdown can be found for $.08/lb. If you are lucky you can go to the LFS and get it for $1/lb and avoid the whole mess.

Envy of those who can get that deal drives the rest of us on. But there is virtually no hope for us. We will end up searching the web, calling local stores, and pining. In the end if you can get it shipped to you at a minimal savings that doesn't make up for the time spent.

Lots of ranting. You can tell I have wasted time looking for it myself. I have 250lb of the stuff, but IMO it isn't worth the hassle. We need to move on after a simple call is made to your local HD and they don't have it .

[yanasina]

Or do like I did, check with my local Home Depot, strike out and then order it from Reefland. It's still cheaper than getting it from my lfs (considerably cheaper), I got the right stuff and I'm DONE.:eek3: (just wanted to use this smilie)

[myreef]

I agree Doug. I looked at my local home depot and said oh well. Then went and bought CaribSea sand. Luckily I was on vacation near where my brother in law works (he works at the LFS there) and picked up 100+ pounds for his cost. I never lost any sleep nor did I do any insane searches for it

On another note, I sometimes think DIY projects are the same. SOmeone spends countless hours researching how to build something, buying a new tool here or there because you never have everything you need. You end up spending more time and money than you thought. However, you do gain the knowledge and I guarantee you know more about that project than most people. And of course you get to keep the tools for other projects.

OK thanks for the rant! This is just my $.02, and the thoughts stated above may or may not contain fact!

[RobG]

I feel your pain. I called about 15 HDs looking for the stuff setting up a 90g tank. Couldn't find it anywhere.

I sent an email to Home Depot (Contact Us off the home page) and they got back to me in 2 days with the nearest store that had it in stock.

Just a thought...

[orion25]

I searched all the HD's anywhere near here. Wound up ordering it from reefland.com. 150 lbs for 67.50 delivered. Not bad in my opinion.

Ryan

[vtec si]

I know the pain of looking high and low for this SOUTHDOWN sand. I called all over the state of colorado (22 HD stores I think) and found nothing. I priced it also here at reefland and after shipping cost I would only save about 2$ a bag. So I went to my LFS to buy CaribSea but they were out and has been on back ordered for 2-3 weeks they told me. I need about 5 or 6 more bags for my 180gal. It has 2" of sand know but, would like to have 4" in there. Not to mention needing sand for my 40gal refug'

Good Luck To All,

VTEC