FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Is this sand suitable for CP's?

The description says “extremely fine and round” so I think it wouldn’t be so good.

You'd also want to test it to be sure it is all quartz/silica. There's better stuff out there.

Coarse sand at Home Depot or Lowe's tends to be good. Just be sure to rinse as there is dust. Typically in construction, near concrete.

Jedikinigit wrote: ↑Sun Feb 04, 2024 11:51 pm Coarse sand at Home Depot or Lowe's tends to be good. Just be sure to rinse as there is dust. Typically in construction, near concrete.

I was told to avoid construction type sand. I am in need of sand for my drosera. The silica sand I have found thus far on Amazon is far too coarse. I will look for sand blasting sand instead of aquarium sand.

Alright. What about this sand? https://www.amazon.com/Palmetto-Poolfil ... =8-48&th=1

andynorth wrote: ↑Mon Feb 05, 2024 1:40 am Alright. What about this sand? https://www.amazon.com/Palmetto-Poolfil ... =8-48&th=1

That looks to be okay. But, if it were me, I'd send them a message to be sure it's all silica/quartzite. Most of the sands I've seen make a big deal about being "pure silica/quartzite". This doesn't. All it says is "We wash our silica sand to remove all impurities". It doesn't say that the sand is all silica. Maybe I'm a little over cautious, but I'd check with the manufacturer.

I will do that. Thank you

evenwind wrote: ↑Mon Feb 05, 2024 5:04 am

andynorth wrote: ↑Mon Feb 05, 2024 1:40 am Alright. What about this sand? https://www.amazon.com/Palmetto-Poolfil ... =8-48&th=1

That looks to be okay. I'd check with the manufacturer.

I asked and the answer I received is confusing at best. Does this make sense? "Palmetto Pool Filter Sand is a 20-40 Sieve sand "

andynorth wrote: ↑Mon Feb 05, 2024 3:00 pm
I asked and the answer I received is confusing at best. Does this make sense? "Palmetto Pool Filter Sand is a 20-40 Sieve sand "

You asked for the chemical content and they replied with the grain size? Either you were very unclear or they are being evasive. Me, I'd look for a brand that clearly proclaims that they are 100% silica/quartzite.

Will do. I specifically asked about what you posted and that was the answer, and then they said "It is silica sand".

EDIT: Is amorphous silica bad? I found another brand that says it contains that with varying percentages of crystalline silica.

If they said it was silica, then you can chose to believe them. From what I've read, the vast majority of pool filter sand on the market is pure silica but there are alternatives that are still usable in pool filters and therefore "pool filter sand". I'd still test it before you use it.

andynorth wrote: ↑Mon Feb 05, 2024 3:36 pm EDIT: Is amorphous silica bad? I found another brand that says it contains that with varying percentages of crystalline silica.

Amorphous silica seems to be powder, correct chemically but not the sand crystals we need in our media.

Thank you.

evenwind wrote: ↑Mon Feb 05, 2024 3:45 pm I'd still test it before you use it.

Thanks. I always do. I think I will give it a try. Worse comes to worse I can use it for something else.