Sand from the beach?

[tyndall72]

I am wanting to turn my freshwater tank into a sand bottom but I do not want to spend a bunch of money on sand when i live by the beach. Is it ok to use sand from the beach in a freshwater tank?

 

[swordtales]

I haven't done it personally but if I did. I'd get a fine mesh screen to attempt to remove any debris. Then i would perhaps clean/boil it. I'd assume it could/would be very filthy though. It should work though, after all sand is sand.

 

[swordtales]

If the sand is from a freshwater beach it wouldn't have the salt content as that of a salty coastal beach. Might be better off biting the $$ bullet.

 

[tyndall72]

thanks lol I am debating on if its worth trying or not. I might jsut go out and buy some to be safe.

 

[bob965]

I dunno dude. I don't think I would put sand from the beach in my tank.

 

[Blue2Fyre]

Why not buy a couple bags of playsand or pool filter sand from Home depot? I got a bag of play sand for only a couple dollars and it worked great in my 55 gallon. Just make sure to clean it really well.

 

[dmann]

Pool filter sand is what I used its like 3$ for a 40 lbs bag at home depot

 

[mshill90]

I used play sand in my Loach tank, and Chicken Grit in my Cichlid tanks.

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

I haven't done it personally but if I did. I'd get a fine mesh screen to attempt to remove any debris. Then i would perhaps clean/boil it. I'd assume it could/would be very filthy though. It should work though, after all sand is sand.

Not all sand is equal. Depending onm what kind you have it can throw off your water parameters. Example - Ph

Pool filter sand is what I used its like 3$ for a 40 lbs bag at home depot

What he said ^

 

[shaung]

i also used play sand 3.75 at home depot, two bags for my 55 gallon, 50 pounds per bag.
just remove your fish, dump in the sand, do 5 100% water changes, let it clear up a little, make sure your temperature is good then add your fish again, it will be clear overnight