Black diamond for a turtle?

[Richie_ELP]

I made a trip to the only lfs worth visiting that has recently relocated a couple days ago. It seems as though the owner really has a thing for black substrate in his aquariums. Well most everyone who asks around knows that black diamond is fine to use with fish if you clean it up.
But what about turtles and amphibians, softshells and an axolotl in particular. No idea how long they have been on it, but is keeping anything but fish on iron slag safe? I would think that axolotl would die rather quickly, but then again I used to think the same would happen to fish.
I keep my softshell on plain pool filter sand., never liked it Black would look nice since I have about a hundred pounds in my garage, but I don't want him to die obviously. An employee says his softshell is fine, but it's the same person who sold me a SAL as a brackish eel.

Anyone have a clue as to whether or not it's safe?

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Do you mean the 3M color quartz sand? I had some of that in my one tank. It's larger grain than normal pool/play sand so I would think it's more of a risk for impaction. Plus it's pretty sharp edged and it scratches the hell out of my glass if it gets accidentaly stuck in my mag-float.

 

[Richie_ELP]

3M was discontinued awhile back. What He is using is called black diamond, and the 20/40 grit feels just like pool filter sand, its not sharp at all, but it is iron slag. I'd think the amphibian wouldn't last on that, but he has. Would it be safe to assume it's not toxic?, he's got the

 

[Richie_ELP]

I don't know how to edit on mobile.

Anyway, what I meant to say was he's keeping sensitive, soft bodied animals on this stuff and they haven't keeled over.

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Check out Tahitian moon sand. It looks the same and I know it's safer than iron slag types, plus it's inert.