Why can't u use beach sand in my tank?

[sjfishguy]

We are lucky enough to live in south Florida where the sand on our beaches is the same calcium carbonate based sand that you buy for $30 a bag at the lfs. So why can't I just go to the beach with a 5 gal bucket and grab some? Seems like no one here does this for their tank, why is that?

 

[Alex1524]

I've done this for one of my tanks. I wouldn't recommend getting sand from the beach though as the beach is where all of the nasty stuff washes up ashore. I took my boat out and went down about 10 feet offshore and got sand from there and didn't have any problems. The only way I'd get sand from the beach or near it is if I rinsed it off and let it sit out in the sun to dry for a week or so to make sure all the bad bacteria is out.

 

[rovster]

Like Alex mentioned most of the sand in the populated beaches is going to be full of all kinds of pollutants. You're better off going to a remote place or better yet offshore.

 

[DgenR8]

Be sure it's legal to collect sand before you collect it. Here, on Long Island, there are stiff penalties for "sand theft".

 

[knukles55]

My current sand bed is from our beach but like alex mentioned I had to strain out all the bacteria rinse out the sand through fish nets and let it dry and sit for about 2 weeks. I haven't had any problems with the sand I actually like the color only problem is its not thick grade......... so my mp10 really makes a mess of things on full power.

 

[rovster]

I think sand is fair game here, it's the rock you can't touch.

 

[Alex1524]

Yea, like Danny said its fair game. I checked with FWC prior to getting the sand.

 

[G_Sanab922]

+1 on pollutants. Even though it's fair game to collect, I would highly advise to make sure where ever you are collecting, it's legal. There are statewide laws and specific zone laws. Just make sure you are far away from any national/state parks just to be cautious.

 

[sjfishguy]

Thanks for all the feedback

 

[betamed]

Picked up my sand in the beach at low tide as far out as I could go.

 

[Paco]

We are lucky enough to live in south Florida where the sand on our beaches is the same calcium carbonate based sand that you buy for $30 a bag at the lfs.

Because the sand on Miami Beach, Crandon Park, etc. is not calcium carbonate it's silica. You can, however, get calcium carbonate based sand from the Keys on the sand bar on Key Largo if you have a boat. That's the right kind of stuff.

You can test this by putting vinegar and the sand into a bowl. If there's no fizzing, it's not calcium based sand. If there is fizzing, congrats, you have the right item.

Paco

 

[zoliyis]

One word. Pollution!! I ve been a reefer for 5 years. When i started my 3rd tank, I tried it since a friend did it successfully. Unfortunately my experience wasn't the same. Even when all parameters were right, corals were just unhappy! They were slowly dying (lps and softies as well) and i was having these annoying hitchhikers. At last i had to throw the sand away and start over. Maybe if you wait for low tide and choose your location carefully you can get clean sand, but in my opinion it's not worth the risk.

 

[sjfishguy]

Because the sand on Miami Beach, Crandon Park, etc. is not calcium carbonate it's silica. You can, however, get calcium carbonate based sand from the Keys on the sand bar on Key Largo if you have a boat. That's the right kind of stuff.

You can test this by putting vinegar and the sand into a bowl. If there's no fizzing, it's not calcium based sand. If there is fizzing, congrats, you have the right item.

Paco

Doesn't seen like it would be silica sand, but that's a good idea. I will try it.