Beach Sand what's needed besides bleach?

[FirstContact]

For those that have used beach sand is anything required besides bleaching it?

 

[Windy2]

Why bleach it? I never have done anything but rinse it.

 

[billsreef]

Why bleach it? I never have done anything but rinse it.

x2

This is also assuming collected from a nice clean area.

 

[FirstContact]

Okay, well I guess I'm ready. Thanks.

 

[jgraz]

Are you collecting sand from a beach local to you? In MD?

As I understand it the sand from this area will be different from sand in FL for example. Silica vs Aragonite. Always though silica sand was not the greatest for our reefs.

 

[billsreef]

The silica sand up north won't hurt anything in the reef, just won't provide any buffering capacity.

 

[jgraz]

Gotcha
I knew there was something about it I read.

 

[billsreef]

There have people that thought it contributed to silicate levels and subsequently diatom blooms. However, that requires an incredibly low pH that would also dissolve the silica based glass

 

[shellsea]

Are you collecting sand from a beach local to you? In MD?

As I understand it the sand from this area will be different from sand in FL for example. Silica vs Aragonite. Always though silica sand was not the greatest for our reefs.

I avoid our beach sand here in the Panhandle and used to avoid it in Ft. Lauderdale as well. Way too much Panama Jack and Coppertone in it not to mention skid marks from those string bikini's.