Sand question

[seedling]

So my pet store was out of Silica sand and all the sand from the local nursery seems to have lime in them (did the vinegar test). I found some sand called Repti- Sand (by zoo med) in the reptile section of the pet store. The package states: "Pure, very fine quartz desert sand". It also states "Natural colours no added dyes or chemicals".

Is quartz sand the same and silica ( sure looks the same) and is it safe to add to my cp soil mix?


Thanks in advance for the help,
Andre

 

[BigCarnivourKid]

It's safe quartz = silica.  If in doubt, do the vinegar test on it.

 

 

[dblnikl]

Sand blasting sand works also!

 

[seedling]

Yeah I went to home depot and asked for sand blasting sand a few months ago. They said they dont carry any. They had play ground sand but only in 50lbs bags.

I ended up buying the reptile sand , did the lime test and it passed. It was kind of expensive but I got sick of running around looking or sand.

 

[Copper]

I get my sand from a pool company. I actually have a pool and have to change the sand in the spring.

 

[Copper]

Should finish that thought.

I think I may try placing the sand in a drainage bin lined with mesh, let it sit in the rain for a year, and then test it. It probably will retain to much chemical to be useful, but it won't cost anything to check.

 

[Daniel]

How do you test sand?