Quote:
Originally Posted by MediaHound
As for play sand: I was always taught to NOT use play sand in an aquarium. It is inexpensive however it leaches silicates into the water. Play sand is usually silica based sand. This causes unnecessary bouts with algae as its a nutrient source for them. This causes unnecessary extra maintenance of your tank.
Also, silica sand isn't healthy for humans (California requires a cancer warning label) so it could have played a part with killing your fish.
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Actually....the only way the sand would have played a part in it is if it was contaminated with something. I know many people who use play sand in their tanks.
I question the silica part as well being that most pool filter sand is silica based (that's what I use). Most hobbyists that use sand use pool filter sand. If silica sand were bad for us, it wouldn't be approved for pool use either.
oh...and what doesn't California put a cancer warning label on? Seems like almost everything I see has that California disclaimer on it.