Safe to use blasting sand as substrate?

[BassetsForBrown]

I want to add sand, but the "aquarium sand" at pet stores is ridiculously expensive for a tiny amount, and sand box sand is ugly and requires a huge amount of rinsing to not cloud up the tank.

You can get like 20lbs of blasting sand for $10. The brand I was looking at is called Black Diamond. Has anyone tried this, and should it to aquarium safe?

Thanks

 

[DBLN8]

Yes it is safe, most of the people I know use the medium grit. You can also use pool filter sand which is very cheap as well and I've never rinsed it out before putting it in a tank.

 

[Woefulrelic]

The black diamond from tractor supply is/was safe. It's pretty dirty so be prepared for a long washing process.

 

[PYRU]

Black diamond is great as long as you don't have sand sifters. You better be prepared for a ton of rinsing though

Best sand per dollar imo is pool filter sand. I don't even rinse it half the time and it's heavy enough to stay on the bottom more than others which helps your filter impellers

 

[MikebNJ]

Charney