Can you harvest sand from the Ocean?

[FloridaPride]

Is it possible to harvest live sand from the ocean or is that not a good idea?

I would love to have the sand from Siesta Key in the bottom of the tank I'm going to start, but I don't want to do anything that would get me in trouble or hurt the success of the tank. It's going to be my first one....

 

[dangpride]

Sure, you can. Just make sure that the sand doesnt smell bad before putting it in. That would even be worse than dead sand...

 

[noschmo]

Re: Can you harvest sand from the Ocean?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7932468#post7932468 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FloridaPride
Is it possible to harvest live sand from the ocean or is that not a good idea?

I would love to have the sand from Siesta Key in the bottom of the tank I'm going to start, but I don't want to do anything that would get me in trouble or hurt the success of the tank. It's going to be my first one....

Where do think the companies that market the product get it? That said, do yourself a favor and buy it bagged from caribsea.

 

[Agu]

Although the sand on Siesta Key is beautiful it's 99% quartz based. It's OK to use in a reef tank but you won't get some of the supposed advantages of a calcium based sand,

Also, Red Tide is moving into the area, I would suggest you avoid collecting from the Gulf for now.

The local club has had collecting forays into the bays of the Gulf, you may want to join up with us....


ACROS

 

[seaduck]

I agree with AGU avoid putting anything from the beaches/water around us in ur tank. Red tide is nasty stuff. I made that mistake a couple of years ago and did serious damage to my tank.

 

[FloridaPride]

thanks for the replies everyone. I will take your advice and just buy it. I forgot the red tide would be hitting our shores shortly...lol thats all I would need as a rookie.