Last Question About Sand

[toolisj]

i got pool filter sand, but its got all kinds of warnings about some crystals and it makes me nervous, is there some sand to be afraid of?

[saix88]

Quick Sand

[Northernguy]

I'm not sure if I saw a warning on the bag,but I beleive inhaling the dry dust is not good for you.It is silica sand!
Make sure you rinse it really well!

[jaysee]

I would suggest washing 10 lbs at a time in a 5 gallon bucket. As you fill it up you can stir it and get all the sand suspended in the water. It'll settle fairly quickly. That's the quickest, most thorough way to wash it IMO and IME.

[saix88]

An easy way to rinse the sand is to put it in a pillow case.

[Northernguy]

Explain the pillow case idea please? That sounds different.
Where does the dust flow out with a pillow case!??

[Kadina]

I used a pillow case to rinse sand and it worked great. As soon as I flooded the bag the water running out was full of "dust". I filled a standard pillow case half full of sand and stuck a garden hose in there and let it run while "stirring" the sand with my hand until the water ran clear. The only warning I would give is do not try pick up and move the pillowcase much because the weight of the sand may rip the seam.

[HeatherB]

Good idea to use a pillow case...I would have never thought of that!

[PostalPenguin]

Yep those warnings are due to silica dust which if breathed for awhile(every day like those who sandblast) can lead to cancer much like asbestos. Thats why people doing sandblasting basically wear space suits to keep the dust away.

But the little amount that you breathe in isn't going to cause a problem and once its wet the dust will be rinse away.

[jackson17]

Yep those warnings are due to silica dust which if breathed for awhile(every day like those who sandblast) can lead to cancer much like asbestos. Thats why people doing sandblasting basically wear space suits to keep the dust away.

But the little amount that you breathe in isn't going to cause a problem and once its wet the dust will be rinse away.

:ssuprised:

I sand blasted for like a month straight two years ago and my teacher never told me to wear any breathing guards

[Sarkazmo]

:ssuprised:

I sand blasted for like a month straight two years ago and my teacher never told me to wear any breathing guards

BARE minimum you should've been wearing a respirator!!!!! It don't matter if you're using soda, glass beads, walnut hulls, OR sand!!! That's completely irresponsible of a teacher! grrrrr....

Sark

[Sarkazmo]

Sand makes a great substrate. Certain fishes like corydoras love to snuffle throught the stuff. Make sure you keep it damp as you're adding it to the aquarium, it'll make your life a lot easier. Use a plate or bowl to keep from messing it all up when you're filling with water. It settles pretty quickly though so don't stress it too much if it gets stirred up.

Sark

[jackson17]

BARE minimum you should've been wearing a respirator!!!!! It don't matter if you're using soda, glass beads, walnut hulls, OR sand!!! That's completely irresponsible of a teacher! grrrrr....

Sark

God dam. I even crawled into it to grab pieces out of the sand blaster with nothing! Omg I'm pissed right now