Would play sand not be the same as

[Fish Buddy]

But technically the play sand you buy at a store is the same as what one would find outside-only the one you buy has gone though a refining process right?- they are chemically the same right?

 

[colegamby]

beach sand is moslty made up of crushed up shells and the like. when you put this in your tank the shells begin breaking down messing up your pH. better to get play sand which is processed.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

just quit being cheap and spend that dollar itll be better for your fish later on

 

[phishluvr]

But technically the play sand you buy at a store is the same as what one would find outside-only the one you buy has gone though a refining process right?- they are chemically the same right?

Often, playsand is silica. with outdoor sand, the make up would vary depending on the source. If there's sandstone in the area, that would make it iffy for aquarium use. Check out the pinned topics for types of rock decorations for more info. Not to mention what has spawned or crawled into it... If your grandma's woods is damp and cool, this is even more likely to have bacteria and fungus and parasites...oh my!

What's your plans for sterilizing said outdoor sand? wouldn't that cost you more than the store bought?

 

[rdd1952]

But technically the play sand you buy at a store is the same as what one would find outside-only the one you buy has gone though a refining process right?- they are chemically the same right?

The play sand has been screened and washed to remove a lot of the impurities from it. Yes it is technically the same thing, just like water is the same so you could probably save yourself a little on your water bill by just getting some water from a nearby mud puddle too. You wouldn't even need to use dechlorinator on it either.

 

[parker313]

But technically the play sand you buy at a store is the same as what one would find outside-only the one you buy has gone though a refining process right?- they are chemically the same right?

Yes, it's the same thing, but once the sand has been outside, there are going to be a LOT of impurities that make their way into the sand. Those impurities could come from rainwater, leach up from the ground or could come from animals walking through, even if people don't walk through it.

I would absolutely, definitely NOT put sand from outside into my fish tank. If you do, you are just *asking* for trouble.

 

[Fish Buddy]

Yes it is technically the same thing, just like water is the same so you could probably save yourself a little on your water bill by just getting some water from a nearby mud puddle too.

hahaha that's great.
Ok, yah, I do see your point. And I guess it is true that silica sand is what play sand is- not a bunch of random rocks- That was what I was really wondering.

My sterilizing methods would be what I have done before with the wood and rocks I found in a stream. That is boil it for an hour, then dump the water out, pour some vinegar in, fill with water again and reboil for 10 min. (7 pieces are in a 50 gallon and no casualties since put in -2 months (besides the rainbow that jumped), and 3 rocks in a 15 gallon)

There is limestone around there-and I think I saw some sandstone- so I will probably not bother now... unless I add peat...humm (lol)