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.