Is This Sand Safe For Me To Use In My Tank?

[Byron]

Do I even need to gravel vac? I Know lots of aquarists on youtube that dont gravel vac because the poop becomes good plant ferts. I'll use sand for all the breeding aquariums. For guppies and endlers, can I go bare bottom? Thanks
 
Also any good recommendations for sand? I won't use PFS but play sand I'm okay with. I think the play sand at my Local hardware store is really fine grained and I wanted something a little larger grained.

 
It rather depends upon the individual aquarium, whether you should or shouldn't touch the substrate.  Generally, I do not.  If I do, for some specific reason, it is only the open areas along the front.
 
Fry tanks frequently have no substrate, the thinking being that it is easier to syphon out detritus.  But this is not something I endorse, because a very important part of the biology of a healthy aquarium is what goes on in the substrate--not the filter.  And in fry tanks where you would likely have a simple sponge filter, the substrate is the only place anaerobic bacteria and denitrifying is going to occur to any extent.  But having said that, if you are rigorous with water changes, this can benefit.  Discus breeders know that fry grow faster with multiple daily water changes.  One trick to faster growing fry is to put dried leaves in the tank; I use oak leaves from the back garden.
 
The thing I really like about play sand is the mix of hues, depending upon the brand.  I am using Quikrete Play Sand, sold through Home Depot and I believe Lowe's in NA.  It is a mix of black/buff/grey/white which resembles sands in much of the Amazon.  But the mix means it hides detritus very well.  When I had all black, it always looked dirty.Play Sand is also the most refined sand, so you don't need to worry about sharpness bothering fish.  And it is the purest sand, because it is refined for kids playing in it.

 

[cooledwhip]

The advice on the package is mandatory stuff, it's all perfectly valid, and not of great concern if you're careful with the dust. It's not vastly different to the advice to wear dust masks and eye protection when doing any dusty job, entirely up to you, but still recommended. If you've got the stuff then I'd not worry about it in the tank. As for pool filters, it does indeed come into contact with the water and is returned to the pool after that.
 
Generally no need to gravel vac sand. Lighter colours can show mulm more, which can be removed with a syphon with gentle disturbance just above the surface with the hose, but if you stick a gravel vac in it you'll be taking out substrate. The easiest way I know of to remove sand is by syphon, if you want to change substrate.
 
Bare bottom can be great for breeding projects, except for bottom feeders/spawners. It's brilliant for removing left over scraps that the fry don't eat to keep the water quality up when you don't want to do big water changes.

Spawners? as in livebeareres?