Non Toxic Play Sand As A Substrate?

[Piicklez]

Just bought 30kg of non toxic kids play sand, im planning on using this as my substrate. I've rinsed it out lots and i just want to be 100% sure that its fish safe? I wouldnt want to put it in and kill all of my fish... I got this from argos for £6 Cheers guys

 

[Piicklez]

come on guys

 

[eelsnot]

I"ve used play sand as substrate safely. It is dirtier and takes much more rinsing than pool filter sand.
Now that I've used both I prefer the filter sand.

 

[Brooks74]

come on guys

You probably arent getting much help because this topic has been discussed thousands of times already. But yes it should be safe but requires alot of rinsing or your tank will be cloudy, pool filter sand is a few dollars more but requires less rinsing.

 

[Piicklez]

You probably arent getting much help because this topic has been discussed thousands of times already. But yes it should be safe but requires alot of rinsing or your tank will be cloudy, pool filter sand is a few dollars more but requires less rinsing.

Yeah. I never knew its been discussed before. Sorry, but thanks. Ive rinsed it with the hosepipe going about 30 minutes each 15 kg.

 

[lipadj46]

play sand is bar none the worst substrate to use as it packs tight and goes anaerobic very easily. If you do use it only use a very thin (1/4") layer. Use pool filter sand instead.

 

[Piicklez]

I got some aquarium sand like that anywway, its what i currently use. that forms a hard layer. i was told that thats what its meant to do, because its denser than water then it gets moulded into one shape.. people in fish shops know nothing.

play sand is bar none the worst substrate to use as it packs tight and goes anaerobic very easily. If you do use it only use a very thin (1/4") layer. Use pool filter sand instead.

 

[RD.]

The only thing toxic about play sand is the dust, if you breathe it in. Totally safe for fish.

play sand is bar none the worst substrate to use as it packs tight and goes anaerobic very easily.

Not all play sand is the same, it varies from company to company and can vary in grain size from ultra fine, to semi-course.
I've used play sand that was clean straight from the bag, required no rinsing, and the particle size was large enough that it never packed down. It was actually heavier & was a larger particle size than most pool filter sand in my area.