Play Sand

[LadyHatred]

I gather this stuff will make the water murky but, is there anything harmful in said murk?

I would like to test something in the tank (no fish yet) and I don't really want to go through hours of washing if it's not going to work out as planned.

So, what I'm thinking is, is setting it up and running the diatom filter to clear the water so at least I can see. That is, if it will hold once I put water in...

But, whats harmful in the "stuff" that comes with play sand?

[Mith]

Well, it will NOT murky up your water if you clean it properly. I found that if you do small bowls at a time under the sink you can get out 98% of the dust.

My sand blasting sand was REALLY dusty when I washed it. When I lowered the bowl (with sand) down to the bottom of the tank, I poured it out and zero murkyness occured.

It WILL take some time, but its worth the effort to do it right the first time.

Re the actual dust....I'm guessing the dust is just micro particals of the sand so MY GUESS is, its harmless.

[sheamurai]

yah, I'll ditto both Mith's comments...if you lower the sand to the bottom of the tank and then dump, its WAY less cloudy, and the cloud is just made up of finer particles...
I think they make playsand pretty much edible, seeing as the first thing kids do is stuff things in their mouths...

[Braccus]

I don't believe there is anything harmful but you can get bags that are VERY dirty.

[LadyHatred]

Well! Am I ever glad I took you people's advice and washed this stuff! Diatom filter or no, that would have been a really, really bad short-cut!

El-cheapo sand from Crappy Tire:
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

This is what happens when you add water to it:
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Chocolate Milk...dairy free, chocolate free...
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

And the end result. Three hours later...
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Still have to run the filter...it's pretty cloudy but not nearly as bad.

[tanks4thememories]

Well! Am I ever glad I took you people's advice and washed this stuff! Diatom filter or no, that would have been a really, really bad short-cut!

El-cheapo sand from Crappy Tire:
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

This is what happens when you add water to it:
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Chocolate Milk...dairy free, chocolate free...
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

And the end result. Three hours later...
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Still have to run the filter...it's pretty cloudy but not nearly as bad.

It is very important that you find out what the sand is made of. Pour vinegar on a dry sample and see what happens. If nothing happens its probably inert and ok for FW aquarium. If it foams it is not ok. From the looks of what you have in your hand in the last shot I don't think it is safe. I use pool filter sand. It is made from pure silica which is inert in fresh water. It doesnt matter what the sand is used for or what it is called. You must check what its made of and when in doubt leave it out.

[annageckos]

I have never had play sand murk up my tank, and I never washed for hours. It must be the brand you got. I have gotten sand from Lowes, Home Depo and WalMart. Most play sands are silica, it should say it on the bag.

[tanks4thememories]

I have never had play sand murk up my tank, and I never washed for hours. It must be the brand you got. I have gotten sand from Lowes, Home Depo and WalMart. Most play sands are silica, it should say it on the bag.

Although most bags labled "Sand" contain silicates this is very different from being 100% silica. Most "play sand" is no longer 100% made from silica. In fact we now have this huge campaign to promote "100% Silica free Play sand" At least in the USA because many authorities are debating the safety of children inhaling fine silica particles (scientifically this does not make sense however in the USA all it takes is a few people to complain and the topic be safety of children and panic ensues, then manufacturers must either wait out the debate or change their product). Here is a link to watch the Berkley moms go at it on this hot topic..lo ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.])l In any case you cant just assume its 100% silica anymore at least not in the USA. Just make sure to be on the safe side or you could end up with crazy PH and hardness issues.

[Wild Turkey]

I second the washing, I found the silicate sand I selected to be so light and dusty I cleaned it out of the tank and started over. It didnt stop that tank from having extended diatom problems, either.

Pool filter sand thats of large "grade" should yield better results, but I am not a fan of light sands.

[tanks4thememories]

I second the washing, I found the silicate sand I selected to be so light and dusty I cleaned it out of the tank and started over. It didnt stop that tank from having extended diatom problems, either.

Pool filter sand thats of large "grade" should yield better results, but I am not a fan of light sands.

I'm a big fan of pool filter sand. It comes in several particle sizes and is typically very clean.

[Mith]

Don't feel bad about the time u spent cleaning. I spent much more time cleaning my sand blasting sand!

I'm sure that the degree of dust in any given bag varies just like the dust in a box of cereal. Its not always consistent.

Now my sand blasting sand I'm having second thoughts about. Last night I actually siphoned the sand and the root tabs that I've been using really hadn't disolved much and the sand was quite dirty. Keep in mind there was virtually NO dust when I put the sand into the tank.

So as it stands right now, at least for sand blasting sand, it doesn't circulate enough which could be why my plants aren't thriving. But then....LOL the roots on one of my plants grew like mad! I may have different issues though.

I was having diatom problems, but when I cut way back on the time the lights were on, the problem almost fixed itself...but the unler layers of sand were still WAY lighter than the surface sand.

[tanks4thememories]

Here is my sand chronicles. Incase you are interested...hehehe
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Hope it helps.

[Mith]

Here is my sand chronicles. Incase you are interested...hehehe
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Hope it helps.

I'm about to get off work (I'm in a car on my phone LOL) so if I can't read all of it now, I'll definitely try and read it when I get home. Sounds really interesting!