Question: Pool Filter Sand Substrate

[ComingOfShadows]

I am looking into setting up a new vivarium with a sand substrate to house a few Newts.

A lot of sources seem to mention Pool Filter Sand as a good sand to use, but they are usually talking about a quartz based sand. Around my house, the pool supply shops only seem to carry sand made from nepheline syenite rock.

Nepheline syenite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

While I have found several people who use this for fish aquariums with no problems, I have not found any information on if this is safe to use with Amphibians. It is actually a quite nice looking sand whitish with flecks of black and pink.

It's composition is as follows
* SiO2 — 54.99%
* TiO2 — 0.60%
* Al2O3 — 20.96%
* Fe2O3 — 2.25%
* FeO — 2.05%
* MnO — 0.15%
* MgO — 0.77%
* CaO — 2.31%
* Na2O — 8.23%
* K2O — 5.58%
* H2O — 1.47%
* P2O5 — 0.13%

Most of that's fine but I am unsure of the aluminum and sodium levels.

Does anybody have any experience with this type of sand? Do you think this will increase the pH levels of the water?

 

[JWERNER]

That sand is fine.
The quartz stuff from what I have seen ( and used ) is not for filters but for a certain type of finish on the walls and floor of the pool.

Its 3m color quartz
It comes in different grades and colors but is hard to find. It was discontinued but loads of places still have it in stock according to 3M abut 4 months ago.

As far as the quartz goes we could be talking about different stuff though. Now Im curious about what it is you found.

 

[Jan]

Humm..certainly an extensive breakdown of components, the majority being silica/quartz. Aluminum oxide is fairly inert. The potential for sodium dioxide to produce sodium hydroxide is there which would increase pH....don't know how much is enough to be of concern. This product also contains iron.

Instead of using this pool filter sand, you can use play sand and sand intended for use in freshwater aquariums. Here is an article from our Caudata Culture section that has a nice discussion of types of sands that can be used and those to avoid: Caudata Culture Articles - Aquarium Substrates

 

[JWERNER]

Humm..certainly an extensive breakdown of components, the majority being silica/quartz. Aluminum oxide is fairly inert. The potential for sodium dioxide to produce sodium hydroxide is there which would increase pH....don't know how much is enough to be of concern. This product also contains iron.

Instead of using this pool filter sand, you can use play sand and sand intended for use in freshwater aquariums. Here is an article from our Caudata Culture section that has a nice discussion of types of sands that can be used and those to avoid: Caudata Culture Articles - Aquarium Substrates

So long as this sand has not been treated its fine and lots of people have used it for many aquarium applications.

Its got a certain appeal to it, its finer than other sands and not as rough on the edges, its nutrient rich for plants, and in just about all cases I have seen its almost totally clean straight out the bag.

I say go for. Maybe it could be added to the list on Caudata culture as well.

I seen mix opinions on how it effects PH mostly from people that have not used it but, I have also seen some personal accounts where people with low PH from out their tap say it didnt bother it or hardness.

 

[ComingOfShadows]

Thanks for the replies. I decided not to chance it at the moment. luckily the Pet store near my house is moving and I was able to pick up some Exo-Terra Riverbed sand quite cheap to use instead.