pool filter sand (crystaline silica)

johnnyjiron

I want to try pool filter sand. The sand I found is light tan, would it turn white after I was it?? I don't want it to be white I want a tan color. Also on the bag it says it contains crstaline silica. The guy at the pool supply store told me all pool filter sand has crystaline silica. Which brand is the one you guys use? And remember I want a tan color.

Austin

I would buy some play sand. The sand I bought was very tan and it was play sand. I always thought pool filter sand was a whiter color. Anyways I doubt it will change color very much after washing it. I'm not sure if crystaline silica is bad or not. =( I remember seeing/reading it can cause cancer if inhaled so idk. I know that play sand is safe for kids so it should be safe for fish.

luckysarah

I am pretty sure that pool sand and play sand are both silica based.

Pool sand is easier to clean though because the grains are larger.

I have pool filter sand in my 55 gallon, its shades of tan/white with black. The guy at the pool store told me the black flecks were carbon... and that tonnes of people buy this type of sand for aquariums.

i will post a pic of mine although I don't know what brand it is.



Its lighter then play sand for sure but not white.

johnnyjiron

did you see any changes in the ph? How are your plants doing.

luckysarah

no change in ph

The plants are doing well so far, even my dwarf hairgrass (pictured) seems to be doing well under lower light conditions. I thought it would die out fairly quickly but thought I would give it a try and see what happened. Some of the longer leaves went brown (although could be algae) but it has a bunch of new sprouts all around the bottom.

I also have a bunch of crypts that are doing very well