Silica sand

[shokuchuu]

Hi everyone
I bought a bag of sand today at a garden centre in the aquarium section.  It's sold as silica sand, but seems really brown for it to be.  Here's a pic of some washed sand:

As you can see, there are quite a few clear granules, but there are browner ones and even black grains (probably not silica at all). I was wondering if this is safe to use to grow Pings and Drosera. Thanks!

Amori

 

[Tamlin Dawnstar]

Pings would be fine in this, For Drosera, I can't say. Most of the grains appear to be quartz, and it may be suitable, at least for some species. Generally, I use only white silver sand but if this is unavailable then I would say you will have a good experiment. I haven't much experimented since I have access to high quality sand from a local swimming supply vendor. It is sold for use in pool filters.

 

[shokuchuu]

Thanks for the quick reply Tamlin!
I'm back from wacshing a bigger batch and it takes alot of rinsing fo rthe water to get clear. The waste looks like typical mud water.
I'm going to have to look around for swimming goods supliers... It won't be easy considering no house, as far as I know, has a pool in this city

I'll try looking for sand blasting sand and white silver sand tomorrow.
Thanks again!

Amori

 

[pond boy]

I use white sand blasting sand Personally I wouldn`t trust it try a plant or two in it and see how they do in a year. Make sure to do the fizz test too,I use phosperic acid for my "fizz" tests,but that stuff is nasty if it gets in your eyes you`ll go blinf if you taste it you`ll die!

 

[BigCarnivourKid]

Vinegar is more than strong enough to use on the fizz test. If you are in doubt about the results, just leave the sand sitting in the vinegar for a while.

 

[shokuchuu]

No fizz from uncleaned or cleaned sand.

 

[pond boy]

Good sign. I guess it should be fine but I`d still go for sand blasting