carmichael7587
New Member
can i take sand from the beach and clean it (hose it off) and put it in my tank?
Beach Sand
- Thread starter carmichael7587
- Start date
bunjiweb
mmmmmmmarines
I don't see why not.
The only problems I can forsee of using beach sand are..
- Particles of tar/oil not being washed out and remaining in the tank.
- Particles of glass, metal etc...
In my opinion it would be a much safer bet to use LFS marine gravel rather than your local beach sand, unless you live on a tropical island that is!
Ben
The only problems I can forsee of using beach sand are..
- Particles of tar/oil not being washed out and remaining in the tank.
- Particles of glass, metal etc...
In my opinion it would be a much safer bet to use LFS marine gravel rather than your local beach sand, unless you live on a tropical island that is!
Ben
Beach sand from SO Cal? 
I wouldnt put that in my tank in a million years, sorry. You run a huge risk of pollutantsor other nasty chemicals that rinsing in water just can't remove. I wouldn't do it at all
I wouldnt put that in my tank in a million years, sorry. You run a huge risk of pollutantsor other nasty chemicals that rinsing in water just can't remove. I wouldn't do it at all
Navarre
Marine Moderator
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2004
- Messages
- 3,824
- Reaction score
- 0
It can be done but it wont give you the buffering for your ph like aragonite will do. Its risky to be honest, i would be far happier adding the correct sand in the system. It snot like it a huge outlay for the system and if you feel the need for cutting corners at an early stage then you will find it very much harder for the far more expensive things ahead 
FishOwner
Fish Fanatic
I wouldn't do it. Sand from the beach itself has no benefical bacteria living on it as it's high and dry, plus you run the risk of getting sand that has been contaminated with cigarettes, sun screen, oil from boats, gasoline, pesticides, etc....and if you collect the sand from under the water, you run the risk of adding unwanted pests to your tank.
Having said that, if you insist on doing this you need to make sure that you are allowed by law to do this first! Some areas are off limits in collecting sand and many states have limits on how much you can take, so check with your local laws to make sure about this!
You also need to make sure that where you collect is not near any rivers, marinas, beaches with heavy human traffic, or open sewer pipes. Take some of the sand and put it in a bucket with enough tap water to cover it and leave this for a day. If you notice any oily residue you cannot use this sand.
I live in Florida, right near the beaches but I won't use any of the sand because all the beaches have so much human traffic I would be afraid of what I'd be adding to my tank!
Having said that, if you insist on doing this you need to make sure that you are allowed by law to do this first! Some areas are off limits in collecting sand and many states have limits on how much you can take, so check with your local laws to make sure about this!
You also need to make sure that where you collect is not near any rivers, marinas, beaches with heavy human traffic, or open sewer pipes. Take some of the sand and put it in a bucket with enough tap water to cover it and leave this for a day. If you notice any oily residue you cannot use this sand.
I live in Florida, right near the beaches but I won't use any of the sand because all the beaches have so much human traffic I would be afraid of what I'd be adding to my tank!
I agree with fishowner..but..he left out a few. Cheese Doodles and doody diapers. SH
Similar threads
Most reactions
-
538 -
297 -
262 -
249 -
234 -
198 -
180 -
152 -
144 -
134 -
98 -
89 -
73 -
71 -
67