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i have been doing some research on sand and it seems like silica sand is a safe sand to use in an aquarium. I read somewhere that it is generally a cleaner sand, expecially when the sand gets sturred up. But I figured I would run the idea thru here and see what some people say. 55 gallon tank, looking at about 40 lbs of sand to get a little over an inch of sand on the bottom. Possible gonna go for 2 inches to hide the bubble wands and all that fun stuff. The sand I found only comes in 100lb bags and is a $8.00

I wouldn't do it. Silica sand is usually sold for sand blasting and is probably too sharp. Not a big deal for fish but your turtle is more likely to ingest some of it. Try play sand or pool filter sand instead.

Pool filter sand might be better since they tend to use a fine grade sand for pool filters. Dont get me wrong play sand is a fine grade to but I think the pool sand is a finer (less rough) grade.

i am noticing that the play sand also has larger pieces of rock. I started picking some of it out but i keep finding more and more.