sands from lake beach

[sunjai]

hello all...
I'm hoping i can save some money for more live rock or other stuff...here is my question, do you guys think is reef safe if I collect sands from a lakes beach?
if no....what kind of sands should I use.....
i check home depot at canada.... they don't have southdown...
only some no name playsand.....are those ok....
pls help....

 

[Henry Bowman]

Sand collection from beaches are risky. Usually there are too many impurities in the sand to be effectivly used without problem.

I use CaribSea. You can get it at www.marinedepot.com

 

[drummereef]

I agree. Chemicals, impurities, metal, glass, and the list goes on... Risky imo. I also use Caribsea products. Better safe then sorry in this case.

 

[1F2FRFBF]

One of my first questions was why I couldn't use sand from the beach I live three blocks away from, and the answer was exactly what drummereef and Henry Bowman said - too many unknown pollutants (plus I was reminded that I do live in New Jersey... :rolleye1: 'nuff said). Then I read something about Southdown, only to learn after a couple months of searching that stores like Home Depot don't carry it any more.

I know paying upwards of $20 or more for a bag of sand is a little hard to swallow especially when you need a lot, but spend the money and get the right stuff. You can always make it up by buying second-hand equipment.

 

[Agu]

Silica based sand can be used for a reef tank, but you're better off buying bags of sand for sandboxes and curing it in a tub with some live sand. They'll both have some pollutants but the bagged sand will probably be cleaner.