Suitable Freshwater Sand?

What ever sand or blasting you buy make sure it is screened, prewashed and kiln dried. Alot of play sands will say not suitable for aquarium use. This is because it has something in it (maybe an algeaside) to keep it from molding in the play box. I had read a while back on it and if I can find it I will post a link for you or just copy the text in.
Pool filter sand usually is the safest. The silica is nothing to worry about. If I remember correctly it is basically what the earth crust is made from (sand etc. so no matter what you use, play sand or pool sand or sand blasting sand it is Silica) The dust is what you don't want to inhale. So I don't think it will be a problem for fish.
I had a bigger issue with algae blooms though so not sure if that in combo with the water had anything to do with it.

Anyhow make sure you research whatever you use before doing it but really all of those options will have little to no impact on the fish. Unless it has a chem. in it then there is a problem.
gl
 
Thanks for the info.

I think that just because of the time of year and the stores I have nearby I will be going with play sand. The sand here (http://www.acehardware.com/product/...041963&cp=&kw=play+sand&origkw=play+sand&sr=1) says on the bag that it is screened, washed, and dried. So all I would need to do is give it a good rinse before putting it into the tank, right? The tank is currently empty as I moved a couple months ago and have not set it back up yet.
 
Yes rinse it in a bucket a little at a time that way you know you are getting all of the dust and smaller floating particles out. Place that in the tank once it is rinsed and then get a plate like a coffee plate or salad plate and lay that on top of the sand before you fill the tank. Pour the water on the plate as you fill the tank so you don't agitate the water as you add it. Then when the tank is half full you can either remove the plate and start planting and decorating or decorate around the plate and take it out when done filling. At any rate you want something to disburse the water going into the tank so it doesn't blast it around.
 
i really like pool filter sand. so far, there have been NO issues with compaction and its cheap and easy to clean. it looks very natural and our fish love to dig in it and make pits and move it around. its heavy enough that when we clean and move the san around (stir it) it doesnt kick up so much that we fear for our filter impellers
 
I think I'm going to go try to get the play sand from my link at my local store later today. Then comes the fun part...cleaning the sand. Wish me luck! I'll post pics once i get everything going!
 
Wisegy84 said:
I'd read that sandblasting sand was not good to use because it generally has more than just sand in it, such as pieces of glass and other things.
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The guy at the store that I bought the sand from said that it was the exact same thing that the pool and spa used for pool filter sand, it just came in different packaging and was cheaper because of its use.
 
If you haven't had any problems then I'm sure what you got is OK, but I do think they make a type of sandblasting sand that has those other little bits in it. As long as it's checked carefully it's all good.
 
Wisegy84 said:
If you haven't had any problems then I'm sure what you got is OK, but I do think they make a type of sandblasting sand that has those other little bits in it. As long as it's checked carefully it's all good.
Click to expand...

Well I haven't put the sand in my tank yet but I will be putting it in this weekend. Wish me luck haha.
 
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