Re: Aquatic Plants Digest V4 #1738

[Roger Miller <rgrmill at rt66_com>]

On Sunday 31 March 2002 13:48, Tom wrote in reply to Wright:

> "That Texas sand-blasting sand has a very good reputation. Mostly granite,
> I suspect."
>
> No, all quartz - silicon dioxide, or silica. And it makes an excellent
> substrate when used with laterite. $6 for 50 pounds at the LFS. I hear that
> it's also sold for use in swimming pool filters.

That probably varies with brand.  The brand I've used ("TexBlast" I think) is 
not all quartz.  It's a mixture of quartz and feldspar, so basically granite. 
 I recently noticed that my LFS was using filter sand to set up their new 
plant display, and the stuff looked just like TexBlast.

There are sand products available in Texas that are 98% quartz, or better.  
I've used that specification when buying filter sand for water wells.  The 
same product could easily be used for blasting sand.  Or for aquariums.  But 
honestly I don't think it's very attractive.


Roger Miller