play sand and fish

[joephys]

In doing a little research, I found the MSDS Solutions - Free material safety data sheets from 3E Company for play sand that is often suggested for use in aquariums. It is quartz based so it doesn't have a negative effect on water quality, but according to the MSDS, it does have fine dust that is a carcinogen to humans. (Nice that its recommended for children's sand boxes, but thats a different forum)

Basically the extremely small particles will dig into lung tissues. I am wondering what kind of effect these small particles can have on fish (yes I know fish don't have lungs).

I know there are going to be a lot of replies with people saying that they have used it with no problems, but how can one be sure that there truly weren't any problems as a result from the dust? Just like not all people won't get cancer from being around the sand, all fishes wouldn't have problems from it. The average hobbiest wouldn't have any way to know if long term effects are from the dust or something else.

I guess there is probably only a small handful of people that would have any real scientific insight into this, but I thought it was worth bringing up.

[OrionGirl]

a) that's based on continuous exposure to dry sand. Wet sand is highly unlikely to get into lungs unless you're snorting mucky water, in which case the water is probably going to cause more serious problems than the sand.

b) There are some fish that will not appreciate sand with small particles with sharp edges. Fish that dig, for example kuhli loaches and smooth skinned eels don't like sharp sand. But that's nothing to do with cancer.

In truth--providing enough space, appropriate foods, and clean water are all higher concerns for me than avoiding something with a slim chance of causing lung cancer in a fish.

[joephys]

My point wasn't about lung cancer in people.

The point was that the small particles can 'dig' into sensitive flesh. My question was how those small particles effect the flesh in fish. I know that when wet it isn't going to be an issue for fish that stay off the bottom, my concern is with bottom feeders.

[RTR]

If you pre-rinse the sand (of any sort) as is normally done, the fines are in the driveway (hopefully not down you drains). Then the potential problem is either reduced or non-existent, depending on how well the task was done.

It is an artificial issue for aquaria IMHO.

[DaisyTattoo]

I keep play sand in a tank that has horseface loaches...which bury themselves in the sand and I have yet to see any ill effects. Shoot....they even eat by passing the sand thru their gills (sifting) and have had no red gills or other issues. BOME I would say it is safe.

[mostlycichlids]

Originally Posted by DaisyTattoo

I keep play sand in a tank that has horseface loaches...which bury themselves in the sand and I have yet to see any ill effects. Shoot....they even eat by passing the sand thru their gills (sifting) and have had no red gills or other issues. BOME I would say it is safe.

Don't you mean BOOM! LOl!

[rosita]

lol Boom makes more sense to me; never seen BOME~~~?

[DaisyTattoo]

based on my experience

[Roan]

And so BOME it is!

Roan

[Rallysman]

I just skip the play sand and go to pool filter sand. I don't know if play sand will harm the fish, but it's so fine it looks like mud IMO.

[beviking]

Natural order of sediment is that finer particles settle and larger particles do not. Mix sand with coarse gravel and the sand settles underneath the gravel. If the particles are fine enough to be suspended, hopefully your filter will pull them out of the water column. In theory it shouldn't be a concern, but like most things concerning our aquaria, we tend to overthink them BOME it isn't an issue either