![]() ![]() The actual danger of using pool filter sand in your aquarium is not the silica content but rather the sharp edges of the sand grains, which are formed during the melting process – a purely physical change without any occurrence of chemical reactions. ![]() Why not consider the process of dealing with brown algae as an initiation ritual that every new aquarium owner has to go through to become worthy of a nice and healthy tank? The Real Danger – Sharp Edges You may just wait for your tank to ‘mature’ and keep scrubbing them off in the meantime. If you see brown algae in a new setup, don’t be discouraged, it’s pretty common. Given that, it’s pretty hard to make a case that pool filter sand is going to be ‘dangerous’ for your aquarium. Therefore, there will be no changes when the quartz sand passes through the guts of animals in your tank. To be on the safe side, it’s best to avoid product contains amorphous silica, but many aquarists have used them with no problems whatsoever.Īlso, silicon-based organisms are not available to any living creature because of their non-molecular structure. It’s also nontoxic for humans and only causes serious lung disease when inhaled. ![]() However, the solubility of amorphous silica (such as aluminosilicate) is higher than crystalline morphologies. If we consider the addition of quartz sand to our aquariums as ‘dangerous,’ then we should also avoid using any glass aquariums.Īnother key takeaway is that quartz sand (SiO2) is practically insoluble in water or acids at room temperatures. In fact, this is the exact same chemical formula as your aquarium glass. Typically, silica sand sold under various names, including quartz, crystalline silica, flint, ground silica, and the main ingredients (chemical composition), is around 99.0-99.9% silicon dioxide (SiO2) with a very low percent of other minerals and metals, depending on the source and grade. It’s a fact that some pool filter sands also contain high levels of phosphates or other additives that can lead to algae problems. While it’s true that the presence of high amounts of silica in the water may be a primary cause of brown algae, it’s not the silica (aka quartz) that’s the problem. The main reason people are afraid to use cheap pool filter sand containing quartz (the dioxide form of silicon) in their aquarium is they’ve heard that the high amounts of silica will lead to brown algae blooms, especially in new aquariums. The Myth of ‘Dangerous’ Quartz Sand in Aquariums The ideal pool filter sands for most aquariums are ones that have NO additives and are as coarse as possible – #20 mesh or a lower number is what you’re looking for.Īuthor note: #20 refers to the US Standard sieve sand can fall through a mesh made from 20 wires per inch before it is placed in bags. However, not all swimming pool filter sands are created equal, and there is a chance that they may contain high levels of silica or other additives, which can lead to a horrible brown algae problem in your tank. ![]() PFS (Pool Filter Sand) can be used as substrate in an aquarium as long as you rinse it thoroughly though before use. 9) Wrapping Up Can You Use Pool Filter Sand for Aquarium? ![]()
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