No, you are not comparing apples and organs.There is nothing wrong with silica sand, it is
just that there are better choices. Some hobbyist actually doze their tanks with silica

http://advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2003/feature.htm
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"George Burnt" wrote in message
...
: If using tap water for a reef is a sin because it might contain silicates,
: why is it ok to use silica based sand? Or I am I compaing apples to oranges
: here.
:
: GB
:
: