Beach Sand?

[Ogertron3000]

im currently in the planning stage of setting up my tank again. As I live near the beach I had the thought that instead of using my old gravel I could just get a few buckets of sand from the local beach instead. I know all the issues of sand substrate with filters etc. but not sure if it's safe for aquarium use. Also not sure if it's actually legal to take it either but am planning on looking for rocks and driftwood in a more isolated spot so maybe grab some sand too and get a whole scape package for free.

 

[PYRU]

Personally I wouldn't do. I'm not sure if soaking would get the salt but you don't know what's been on it besides that.

Sand is really cheap here for 50lb bag. Whats it cost where your at?

 

[kno4te]

Sand is illegal to take off beaches in Florida where I live. So check with ur district. Could use sand but suggest to boil it to make sure no pathogens and continuity rinse it out to get rid of all the salt.

 

[duanes]

I'm in the process of cycling my new/used 180, and have been adding a little beach sand every couple days, because buying, and then getting a bag of sand to the island is a major accomplishment, so i'm taking a chance. I consider the fish used to cycle the tank (25 locally caught Gambusia) to be sacrificial. The plants are also locally harvested, so could be carrying all sorts of demons.
The tide cleans the beach daily, although buzzards crapp all over the sand, so I'm actually hoping some of that waste helps to jump start some bacteria, the tiny Gambusia are a bit slow to produce enough ammonia of any significance.
That said, the tank has had fish in it, for about 2 weeks, and still registers 0 for ammonia, maybe the plants are sucking it all up.
Probably be another month or more before I can catch some cichlids anyway.

 

[cockroach]

I have used beach sand before with no problems. I put a metal container on a fire outside, boiled it for 30 mins, rinsed repeated and voila. The beach was polluted leading to me double sterilizing.

Just make sure your beach is sand and not crushed coral as that may lead to unwanted pH problems.

 

[Ogertron3000]

It was just an idea I had while making sand castles with my daughter, it's an interesting texture with fine dark grains and larger white grains.
Not sure how much it costs to buy sand here, just thought it would be cool to have all locally collected stuff in the tank. I could boil it up outside and see how it goes but still not sure.
Am currently thinking a mix of the old gravel and a percentage of sand too could look good.
As for the PH it might not be a bad thing as I am planing a C.A tank and our tap water is quite soft. As for the legality of it, I can do a midnight run, it's not really the right thing to do but there's lots of sand on a beach and a few buckets wouldn't be noticed.
Will have to think about this a bit more before I decide.

 

[TwoHedWlf]

im currently in the planning stage of setting up my tank again. As I live near the beach I had the thought that instead of using my old gravel I could just get a few buckets of sand from the local beach instead. I know all the issues of sand substrate with filters etc. but not sure if it's safe for aquarium use. Also not sure if it's actually legal to take it either but am planning on looking for rocks and driftwood in a more isolated spot so maybe grab some sand too and get a whole scape package for free.

I don't know about the legality of it, but if it is then go for it. A quick rinse will any salt and debris out of it. I've used beach sand from here in several tanks. It was dark, rocky sand rather than I guess what you'd have is lighter silica and coral sand. That's the only concern, might raise your PH some.

 

[Ogertron3000]

I don't know about the legality of it, but if it is then go for it. A quick rinse will any salt and debris out of it. I've used beach sand from here in several tanks. It was dark, rocky sand rather than I guess what you'd have is lighter silica and coral sand. That's the only concern, might raise your PH some.

Did you boil or soak it before you used it? I am thinking if you get it from way above the tide line it would be so dry that there wouldn't be any bacteria in it, especially as we are in the middle of a heatwave and it's been baking in 40+ degree heat all week. If it's too hot to walk on bare foot it can't be a nice place for bacteria to live.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

I would use it. With the fish your planning on keeping I can't see any issues.
Go for it, it's natural and free.

 

[TwoHedWlf]

Did you boil or soak it before you used it?

Nope. Put it in a bucket, fill it with water, let the hose trickle keep running into the bucket, swish it around a bit until the water runs clear, put it into the tank.

Most bacteria that might possibly be in it would be harmless and probably killed by the transition from saltwater to freshwater anyway.