Sand blasting sand? Anyone try it?

[scott s]

There are a handful of thread on Black Diamond Blasting sand. Some people are skeptical, but I actually switched to it today and it seems fine for my Bichirs.


I rubbed it between my fingers alot while cleaning it and it wasn't that coarse to where I would think it would be a problem.

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I looked into this stuff at one time, and may try it out on another tank in the future. From what I read, it is coal slag. Many people use it but no one is sure if it leeches anything into the water over time.

 

[andersp90]

3d background is almost done so I now am looking for some sand. Has anyone tried sand blasting sand? Anyone think it would cause problems?
Please post what you guys use and where you got it, even if its not sand blasting sand I would like to know.

Thanks!

I joined a discussion on the subject a few years back here on the forum.

Posted some pics taken with a microscope of different types of sand (from a 10 year old topic Danish topic).

There were no real diffrence.

Danish hobbists have been using sand blasting sand for the past 30 years in their Malawi, Tanganyika and SA tanks.

There are a number of those species who use their gills to filter the sand for food.

Non were able to report any problems.

(found the old pics)

Sand blasting sand:



Aquarium sand from a shop:



Sand from a Danish beach:

 

[Pharaoh]

I've used the black diamond in a tank or two. Never had an issue.

 

[sam_everist]

I'm using black shotblasting sand with rays and so far so good