Pool Filter Sand...Dangerous?!?

[enrique4jc]

So I swung by the neighborhood pool supply store today to pick up some Baquasil, and I saw all the big bags of pool filter sand sitting around. I've been talking about switching over to sand for a while, and so I thought what the heck, I might as well pick some up. Since I don't really know anything about the stuff, I asked him about it and found out that it was indeed the silicate sand. He said that's what everyone runs in their pools, and I told him that I wouldnt actually be using it for that but to put in fish aquariums. His response was that the silacate sand was dangerous to humans if you breath it and wouldn't be healthy for the fish and that he couldnt recommend it. In fact, he made it clear that he wasn't interested in selling me any for aquarium purposes.

I know that he is a pool guy (and a very good one at that), not a fish guy, so I am assuming he is right about the potential risks to human beings if inhaled but just doesnt know anything about using it in aquariums. Would I be correct in my assumption? I certainly don't hold that against him.

I didn't buy it just in case, but from what I understand it will be perfectly safe. Is this correct?

Thanks for your input!

[Nolapete]

Pool filter sand is not safe. Most is treated with chemicals to deter bacterial growth that are toxic to fish/inverts.

[H3D]

Pool filter sand works great!

[Weezer]

Thats 1 and 1 .... :wall:

[Nolapete]

If you say so, but IME (having a pool with sand filter for 15 years) it's not. There are many other sources of untreated sand.

[H3D]

If you say so, but IME (having a pool with sand filter for 15 years) it's not. There are many other sources of untreated sand.

Pool filter sand makes great substrate! I know MANY people including myself who use it. It is the best sand because it does not get sucked up in gravel vacuum.

[Nolapete]

It's great for the reasons H3D stated. I agree. That was never my problem with it. Just be certain that it isn't treated.

[H3D]

As Nolapete mentioned you want to avoid chemically treated sand, but it should be easy to find some that is not.

[enrique4jc]

Okay, so there is more than one kind of pool filter sand?

[matefrio]

This is funny. I was just at a pool place today looking for sand and only found stuff that had been chemically treated. It's not as easy to find as these forums had lead me to believe.

[enrique4jc]

Okay, so most likely what I saw is different than what people put in their aquariums. What about Lowes? Do they have what I need?

[aoscar]

I haven't had any problems with mine nor heard of chemically treated, however see what the prices are, and go with the cheaper, mine was 9.16 for 60lb.
and wash it. I did a large tupp bowl, and mixed it under the kitchen faucet until the water ran clear. (about 30-45 seconds)

[Nolapete]

Washing chemically treated will NOT fix it for aquarium use. Treated sand will leach toxins into the aquarium.

[Nolapete]

http://www.fairmountminerals.com/interior.asp?page=PoolFilterSand&category=Products&level1=AquaQuartz

This type is supposedly inert. You could call them and ask if it is chemically treated and if there's a local place you can buy it from.

[enrique4jc]

I actually remember seeing a pallet of the Aquaquartz stuff off in the distance...didnt check it out. Maybe I'll see!

[Mgamer20o0]

well like anything it depends where you live. just because its easy in one place doesnt mean the next place will be easy to find.

[lazyNode]

I just read this off http://www.theplantedtankfaq.com/substrateFAQ.html

Take a dry washed sample of the sand or substrate in question and pour some muratic (hydorcloric) acid over it. If it smokes/bubbles/fizzes then avoid it.

[Rbishop]

Our pool supply place has treated and untreated sand for filters.

[Nolapete]

Our pool supply place has treated and untreated sand for filters.

A lot of places do. The untreated is supposed to be ecologically safe.

[severum mama]

I've used it in many of my own tanks with no problems at all. I didn't have any trouble finding sand that wasn't treated.

[Nolapete]

I've used it in many of my own tanks with no problems at all. I didn't have any trouble finding sand that wasn't treated.

As H3D and I have said, there is NOT a problem with untreated pool filter sand. It is the treated pool filter sand that IS a problem because it is treated with chemicals that are toxic to fish.

:wall: :silly:

[enrique4jc]

Okay...so can anyone recommend for me a specific brand?

[Nolapete]

Let your fingers do the walking and look in the local yellow pages. There has to be at least one other pool/spa place other than the one you went to. Call and ask if they carry both treated and untreated filter sand.

[Squawkbert]

Silica based pool filter sand, about #20 mesh is a good way to go.

Ultrafine sand gets you into problems w/ cloudy water, irritation of mucous membranes (us & fish) etc. etc.

DE (diatomaceous earth) is also very fine and at least as abrasive as very fine silica sand, and it therefore to be avoided (there's also the carbonate leaching to consider in the long run).

[247Plants]

I got a 50lb bag of plain Silica Sand for $6 at Lowes here.

[Fishman07]

what about quikcrete's play sand??? is that okay??

[Nolapete]

Whichever kind you get, make sure it doesn't say anything about inhibiting growth or treated for this and that and you should be fine. Also, make sure that it doesn't contain any limestone.

[IceH2O]

I used Quickrete Medium Grade Contracters sand. But it takes a while to clean out all the finer particles. Its will suck up into the gravel vac also so I just skim the top of the sand off and then run a wire hanger through it to release any potential gas pockets. A ton of MTS helps out also.