can i find a consistent answer..PFS and silica

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I

irishfan

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 20, 2008
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New England
I have searched all over..seen ppl saying PFS is fine to use, then I see no silica and diatoms and crap, then I see silica is ok, then I see algae from it...

So what is the truth? Is there a problem with silica based PFS?
What is the problem with algae, besides the appearance is there anything negative that silica based sand will do?
 
I use PFS in all of my tanks. I buy it from Leslie's Pool Supply and put it straight into the tank.
 
Yep, you can't beat it.
 
It won't cause problems in most tanks but some people have had major issues with brown algae directly associated with the presence of PFS. They did not have it, they added the sand, it got out of control, they tried everything to get rid of it, and it didn't go away until they pulled the PFS out.

In general something is not true or impossible until it happens to that person. So although it may not have happened to the people most adament against it doesn't mean it hasn't happened, it justy hasn't happened to them.

I don't like it because it usually only comes in a very light tank, barely off white. This will cause your fish to wash out their colors. I prefer either solid black of black and white mixed together. I use Estes' Ultra Reef because although it is silica based it has a coating to prevent brown algae problems.
 
I use PFS in 3 of my tanks and love it. It keeps the tank nice and light vs. the darker substrates which tend to make the tank dimmer no matter how bright your lights are. I've never had any kind of algae outbreak in my tanks other than the regular algae everyone gets a small amount of.

As far as washing your fish out, that's not true. They may wash out a little when you first put it in, but the color will come back and it will not wash them out permanently. They will be lighter in color than if you kept them over a black or dark brown substrate, but that is just the fish adjusting to its surroundings.
 
Fish try to match their background. Put them on a white background with white sand and they will be lighter than the same fish on a black background and black sand. There have been studies that showed that they actually produce more pigment in their tissues with a darker habitat. Maybe they still get color back long term, but it still won't be what they would have if on a dark background and substrate.
 
*Pharaoh : I've a question Sir. When I bought a 50# bag of the pool filter sand There was a huge warning on the bag, about health hazards if you breathe it in, etc. Did yours have those warnings on it too? Or did I some how get the wrong kind?
 
The light coloured sand can easily be offset with the dank decor. Dark wood and rocks and plants will pretty much negate the effects. My senegal bichirs are the same colour in their new tank with white sand as they were in their previous tank with dark reddish/brown/black substrate.
AWAD, that is the right stuff. Silica dust is definately harmful, as are most fine particles if you breath them in.
 
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