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Post by ricesmuggler on Oct 8, 2007 12:02:50 GMT
Hi all, I went to the local pool supply store to see if I could get a bag for next season since it was much cheaper and coarser than silica sand from the pet store. On the bag it said Nepheline Syenite and when I googled this it says that its "a medium to coarse-grained, light- to medium-gray, igneous rock that is composed predominantly of a silicate mineral called orthoclase (KAlSi3O8) and has a granite-like appearance". I took a peak in the bag and the media was a very light gray to off-white in color with some black flecks/flakes. I know a lot of people are using pool sand with no problems, are those using pool sand using this Nepheline Syenite and is it safe for CPs?
Thanks.
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Post by pinglover on Oct 8, 2007 15:45:10 GMT
Pool filter sand should be fine. I thought all pool filter sand was Nepheline Syenite? I still rinse it thoroughly before using it in a medium.
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Post by ricesmuggler on Oct 8, 2007 16:42:26 GMT
Thanks pinglover - I was under the impression that pool sand consisted of silica sand or quartz particles. The chemical composition of silica sand and quartz is SiO2 and that of Nepheline Syenite is KAlSi3O8. The addition of the Potassium (K) and Aluminum (Al) molecules had me wondering whether it would be safe for CPs. If I was going to use it I would give it a thorough washing but want to make sure that its CP safe before buying a 50lb bag.
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Post by pinglover on Oct 8, 2007 16:59:47 GMT
Hold off buying that bag until others weigh in. I'm no chemist but the pool sand I've bought for use in Sarracenia medium was Nepheline Syenite. Once again, I thought all pool filter sand was Nepheline Syenite and this may not be the case.
I've also used very coarse sand that brick layers use purchased at material yards. That sand takes me oodles of time rinsing it to get the water to run clear so I really don't like buying it any longer.
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Post by Not a Number on Oct 9, 2007 0:03:46 GMT
Silica and quartz sand is commonly used for pool sand filters. Ask for #20 grade silica or quartz sand. I bet this other stuff is more expensive.
Silica sand at least is a known.
You can get silica or quartz sand from sand blasting suppliers. #16 mesh/grade is typical for CP use.
Play sand available at hardware stores is usually silica or quartz sand, but not as coarse as pool filter or sand blasting sand.
Sand blasting and play sand is around $5 US for 50 pounds.
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Post by pinglover on Oct 9, 2007 0:27:48 GMT
Thank you Not a Number. Unfortunately, around here all I seem to be able to get is the Nepheline Syenite and it is more expensive at around $15 a bag.
Any chemists lurking? Will sodium-aluminum or potassium-aluminum silicate present in the pool filter sand I buy leach into my Sarracenia medium and pose a problem over time?
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Post by ricesmuggler on Oct 9, 2007 14:06:20 GMT
I'm in the same boat as pinglover, everything that I've been able to find around here is Nepheline Syenite as well since they mine the stuff not too far away from where I live. It's not quite as expensive at $10 CAD for a 50lb bag which would be great instead of paying a premium at the pet store for their stuff. I do have a bag of silica sand from Home Depot which has the consistency slightly bigger than sugar but I wanted the coarser graded stuff so it wouldn't compact the soil as much and allow more air into the soil. Anybody else have any experience with this stuff?
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kby
Full Member
Posts: 162
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Post by kby on Oct 9, 2007 16:39:58 GMT
Yes. Any chemists lurking? Will sodium-aluminum or potassium-aluminum silicate present in the pool filter sand I buy leach into my Sarracenia medium and pose a problem over time? I wouldn't worry about the K or Al in the sand molecules. They are tightly bound in an insoluble form and won't go anywhere unless you are growing under conditions that dissolve the sand . Notice that perlite also supposedly has K, Na, & Al: www.perlite.net/redco/basic.htmThe real issue isn't usually the composition of the sand itself but impurities that might be present and potentially how hard they are to get out. In theory even sea sand should be fineāif you could get out all of the NaCl. Simple exhaustive washing should get it out, but if it's mechanically trapped, then it might take a lot of washing (like perhaps more than anyone would be willingn to do, but, unfortunately, less than sitting in a pot for years and washing water would do, which is why it gets out into the medium). Unfortunately, the impurities are not always listed on the label. -kby
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Post by ricesmuggler on Oct 9, 2007 17:19:33 GMT
kby, your expertise is much appreciated! Now it's off to the pool supply store for me!
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Post by Not a Number on Oct 9, 2007 18:59:16 GMT
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Post by pinglover on Oct 10, 2007 14:20:51 GMT
I was long ago told it wouldn't be an issue. Problem is I couldn't recall who had said it wasn't an issue or why. Thank you kby. And thank you Not a Number for your link. Much appreciated.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2007 16:44:50 GMT
yeah it shouldnt be a problem....however we have used it in chemistry sometimes and it can make you sick if you breath it in after some dumbo walked by to fast and caused some of it to go into the air........
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