Habitat - Indoor :: Sand Question

[AndrewRave]

It's been a while since i have posted on here, but im back, now im getting some stuff for my turtles tank and wondering if this sand http://www.walmart.com/ip/Crayola-Play- ... e/16913832
Is gonna work in my tank

[AndrewRave]

bump

[ljapa]

Others have used it without problem. It's a fine (as in small grain) sand, which means it is more easily disturbed. You may suck some up when siphoning and even end up with some in your filter, but neither is a serious issue.

Go for it, and be sure to post pics when it's done. What do you have now for substrate?

[Kansasslider]

Yep that will work.

[AndrewRave]

Nothing, and i cant seem to even find that specific sand which is disappointing
me

[AndrewRave]

Hey can i use calcium sand or will that damage something?

[ljapa]

It will definitely raise your carbonate hardness and may raise your ph.

I'm not sure there's advantage.

[Kansasslider]

You can use pool filter sand, Play sand, Crayola sand, Aquarium sand. Play sand you can find at Menards Home depot etc. Aquarium sand you can find on line or pet shops.

[devilduck]

Careful of the silica content of some of these sands. If the silica content is high you'll be fighting diatom outbreaks in the tank for a while. Another cheaper option can be pool filter sand and blasting sand.

[AndrewRave]

The calcium sand said it didnt have any Silica content

[ljapa]

Silica is silicon dioxide otherwise known as Quartz or glass. With the exception of the calcium carbonate sand used in reef tanks, most sand is 100% silica.

However, devilduck is correct that diatoms need silica. They can't use the silica locked up in the grains of sand or in the glass of your aquarium, but they can probably use the fine, microscopic silica in the dust in your sand. That's why rinsing is important and probably why play sand is worse than pool filter sand. But, your sand is mostly silica.

[Kansasslider]

I forgot to mention rinsing sand very well before placing it in the tank.