Is pool filter sand safe?

[XAnhLe]

I was advised that pool filter sand can be used in aquarium, like this one: http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11683357
which costs only $13 for 50 lbs. I'm not sure if it is safe for discus, what do you guys think?

[Tankster]

yes

[brewmaster15]

That looks like the same silica sand I use in my tanks...I get mine at a local pool supply house.

hth,
al

[XAnhLe]

great! thank you! :D

[Crockett]

Be careful with the silica sand dust when pouring / un-bagging it, as while the sand maybe safe for discus, it does have other human health risks as outlined in this link

https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/crystalline-factsheet.pdf

However wetting / or washing the sand down before just pouring it in the tank should mitigate the risk of breathing the dust. Not trying to over react or anything , but I did some research when I considered using pool sand and was quite surprised at what I found. I have three very young children so I felt compelled to do some research before just proceeding to bring bags of pool sand in the house, after all it is designed for pools not fish tanks.

I ended up using this sand made by Estes (picture attached), excellent choice and no problems at all. It is also very white and looks great in my 180 gallon, it also comes in many other great colors and is reasonably priced.

Crockett

[discuspaul]

Your sand looks very white - wish we could get it here in Canada.
This is the best we can do here - but I'm quite satisfied.
Been using it in all my tanks for years:
http://s1105.photobucket.com/albums/h357/discuspaul/redrubys

[XAnhLe]

Crockett, I didn't think of that, thank you for your advice! :)

[XAnhLe]

Paul, your tank looks awesome!

[Crockett]

Crockett, I didn't think of that, thank you for your advice! :)

Glad I could help.

[Crockett]

Your sand looks very white - wish we could get it here in Canada.
This is the best we can do here - but I'm quite satisfied.
Been using it in all my tanks for years:
http://s1105.photobucket.com/albums/h357/discuspaul/redrubys

Your tank is looking great.

[discuspaul]

XAnhLe & Crockett - thank you both.

[decoy50]

I've used the HTH PFS from Ace as well as Quikrete brand PFS from Lowe's and liked the HTH brand much better. Larger sized grains & it required much less rinsing.

[Ryan]

^ Yeah, the larger the grains, the better. I also use the Quikrete stuff in a couple of my tanks and the fish stir it up much more easily and it ends up in my canister filters. It also siphons up way too easily during w/c. I have the larger/heavier grained stuff in the 150 gallon in my living room and I never have any of those issues with it. I haven't tried the Ace brand but I'll have to get a bag and try it out. I have been looking for larger grained sand everywhere because mine initially came from a pool supply store and then they switched to Quikrete brand when I tried to order more.