Silica Sand = Quartz?

[jonny5]

so ive read that silica sand is great for brack tanks because plants can grow in it, its doesnt affect ph and burrowing animals like it.

Ive also read silica sand = quartz

ive also read quartz is too sharp for burrowing animals and should not be used.

this leads me to be confused

 

[The-Wolf]

quartz is the second most abundant mineral on Earth and its chemical symbol is SiO2 (silicon dioxide)
silica sand is indeed the same thing.
the difference between the two is particle size, sand is by definition particals between 0.06 and
2 millimeters in diameter and would therfore have no real sharp edges.

hth

 

[nmonks]

It's very simple. There are two types of quartz sands on sale in garden centres: sharp sand and smooth sand. The one you want for fish tanks is smooth silica sand.

Unless a silica sand is sold explicitly as smooth silica sand, don't buy it. Sharp sand can scratch fish, especially their gills, despite the small size of the particles.

Cheers, Neale

this leads me to be confused

 

[jonny5]

It's very simple. There are two types of quartz sands on sale in garden centres: sharp sand and smooth sand. The one you want for fish tanks is smooth silica sand.

Unless a silica sand is sold explicitly as smooth silica sand, don't buy it. Sharp sand can scratch fish, especially their gills, despite the small size of the particles.

Cheers, Neale

this leads me to be confused

ah ok, ya i made a big mistake and thought argonite sand would be good at first. The ph is too high, its at 8.2 and the particles are so fine that there are some constantly in the water column and the overhang filter picks some up and keeps its circulating.

Since white tends to wash out the fishes colors i think i will stray away from silica unless they make smooth colored silica. I have found colored smooth silica in the reptile section but that sand is even finer than the argonite.

pool filter sand/river sand seem like good choices.
However, black tahition moon sand gives just astronomically good contrast with vibrant green plants in the tank (watersprite, newer shoots of anacharis)Is this suitable for a planted brackish tank that has gobies and might have a burrowing lined sole in it?

 

[nmonks]

Since white tends to wash out the fishes colors i think i will stray away from silica unless they make smooth colored silica. I have found colored smooth silica in the reptile section but that sand is even finer than the argonite.

Smooth silica sand is the only safe option with burrowing, digging or bottom-dwelling fish. It darkens with time, and you can stir in some gravel if you want a quick fix. In any case, the shade should come from the plants and/or rocks, and it's only certain fish that fade their colours, notably cichlids, and these aren't likely to be kept in a brackish water system. Sand sold for use in reptile vivaria may not be colourfast, and in some cases is calcareous, the idea being the reptiles eat the sand and get calcium that way. Check with the manufacturer.

However, black tahition moon sand gives just astronomically good contrast with vibrant green plants in the tank (watersprite, newer shoots of anacharis)Is this suitable for a planted brackish tank that has gobies and might have a burrowing lined sole in it?

Tahitian Moon Sand is not usable in the tanks with burrowing, digging or bottom-dwelling fish. It is a glass byproduct and is too scratchy. This is clearly stated on the CaribSea web site. Tahitian Moon Sand is only useful in tanks where the fish swim solely in midwater, e.g., things like tetras.

Cheers, Neale