Beach sand okay?

[hexagon]

I'm going to set up a 55 gallon african cichlid tank. So versus the $60 for sand, could I just go to the shore (not a public one.. fishing shore.) and get sand for the tank? Or would it just be better to get the sand that helps raise the PH levels?

Any imput would be appreciated.

 

[koliveira]

Well, I live in a land were the water is so hard you don't have be jesus to walk on it so I have no need for crushed coral (aragonite) but for most people it is good to use aragonite or a buffer to bring up your pH and alkalinity.

 

[Bassman89]

i dont see a problem with it...just wash it out first

 

[fisher12889]

AS long as its not illegal, I think it would be OK. Just be sure to rinse out all the salt really good!

 

[Bassman89]

AS long as its not illegal, I think it would be OK. Just be sure to rinse out all the salt really good!

or then youll have a brackish tank lol

 

[simple man]

I would make sure to let the tank run for a week or so and to check your pH levels and then go from there.

 

[beex215]

public or not i dont see a problem.boil it or wash it really well.thats what i would do

 

[casperbgk]

ive used sand from the beach before and had no problems. just give it a wash like everyone said and you shouldnt have a problem.

 

[hexagon]

public or not i dont see a problem.boil it or wash it really well.thats what i would do

But I live in Jersey.. I don't even want to walk on the public beaches here. Haha. They are so nasty.

 

[dr_sudz]

sand is sand. If its been in the waters tho I think I would be more prone to boil and wash the sand just to make sure. Maybe even add a mild bleach mixture to make sure its really clean.