Is all play sand safe?
- Thread starter whatafish
- Start date
You can buy play sand at Home Depot and other places for around $4 for 50 lbs. This instead is 75% more to get 88% less. Of course, it has colors, but those are not likely safe in water, since it says terrarium and not aquarium.
My assumption is that either it isn't safe, or the manufacturer's aren't sure if it's safe in water. (That could mean not safe for the fish, turtles, frogs, shrimp, snails, but it could also mean not safe for humans.)
There are a lot of natural colored sands and small gravel that are safe, although more expensive.
My assumption is that either it isn't safe, or the manufacturer's aren't sure if it's safe in water. (That could mean not safe for the fish, turtles, frogs, shrimp, snails, but it could also mean not safe for humans.)
There are a lot of natural colored sands and small gravel that are safe, although more expensive.
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Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I know of the HD sand. I already have it. My thinking is to use that sand as a base to provide volume, then do a top layer of this colorful sand. Terrariums do incorporate water, which would make me lean j towards thinking it is safe...
Do you have a suggestion on how to get the regular sand colorful of this colorful sand isn't safe?
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=aquarium+sand
http://www.naturesocean.com/aquarium-supplies/colored-aquarium-gravel.html
I'm not suggesting that you use either of these, but you can browse some sand choices here. These appear in some cases to be specifically for aquariums. Plus there are tons of online stores and I'm sure local stores plus Petco, Petsmart, etc. should carry lots of options. Obviously, there are tremendous sources here (MFK) to ask for suggestions. What color do you want? What size? What fish will you have? Will you have live plants ? What color background to you have? Imo, be prepared with those answers to narrow down some natural choices should you decide to go that route.
Also, I haven't tried to mix colored sand with the typical beige sand, so I have no idea what the correct ratio is or what will happen long term as they mix.
I'm pretty basic in my approach plus I'm color blind so I won't be much help there.
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Thank you for sharing, doc.
I'm planning on putting discus of varying colors. The background is a 3D background. It's the typical foam insulation sheet with spray foam followed by the sand. I'm looking to utilize brighter hues of greens, reds, yellows, purples and blues. Haven't decided if I'm going bare bottom or beige sand. No plants.
Thank you, Pescado. I remember WalMart carrying this before for like $5-6, but I can't find it listed anymore. Even Crayola's website says I should be able to find it at WalMart...
Amazon is selling it for $23!!!!!
yea I havnt found it locally either. seen it on amazon at a crazy price too. I wanted some for red sand for my poly tank but not for that price. good look on you hunt
I just tweeted out to both Crayola and WalMart asking for help. I'll let you know if they get back to me.
While play sand may or may not be safe, I have found that play sand,(as opposed to pool filter or other heavier, more dense sand, can be very hard of filters.
Because play sand is tiny grained, and light weight it is easily stirred up, and can get into impeller chambers (volutes) and ruin the inner workings of filters and pumps.
Below is an impeller ruined by play sand before I figured out its down side.
Because play sand is tiny grained, and light weight it is easily stirred up, and can get into impeller chambers (volutes) and ruin the inner workings of filters and pumps.
Below is an impeller ruined by play sand before I figured out its down side.
