Advice For New Hobbist

[sin]

what do you think about using sand form the beach is it good or bad :notsure:

 

[crazyaqua]

eh i would so no because it could be really polluted and it could be illegal.

 

[mudplayerx]

The sand could also be put there by your city for tourists and not even be natural.

 

[sin]

could anybody tell me how wood you know if the sand is polluted or not natural

 

[monalisa]

To be honest, I wouldn't take the chance...exactly what you just said, how would you know the difference? JMO
Lisa :happyfish

 

[christie<3]

I know I'm a newbie myself and have no room to answer questions already but I read "Saltwater Aquariums for Dummies" and it says definitely not to get sand from the beach.

 

[sin]

theres nothing in the tank but water and salt mix and power head i have not started the cycle yet

 

[sin]

whats the difference between the sand in the beach and the sand that they sell in the store that comes in the bag. where dose the sand that comes in the bag come from is it a special sand

 

[beth]

Bad Idea....

 

[sin]

why could you tell me

 

[crazyaqua]

the sand you buy in bags from the pet store has been cultivated and prepared for the hobby. Sand from beaches that people use is not clean.

 

[feixjai]

i would recommend live sand as my friend and lfs lady recommended us. it has lots of bacteria in it and maybe the sand at the beach dont have the same bacteria as the tank needs.

 

[airforceb2]

Regular sand is made of silica and mined in Utah and other parts of the Rockies. When you introduce this sand to salt water, it causes the water to get to lethal levels. LS is aragonite sand that is mined from the ocean bottom (about 10 to 20 miles off shore) and washed before bacteria is added and bagged up for shipment to fish stores. If you use sand off the beach, you run the risk of putting tar/rubber from near by roads along with oil from the ocean curl in your tank. If available, you can get carribean play sand from your local hardware store...if you are lucky enough for them to carry it. It will run you about $5 per 50lb bag. I believe a few manufacturers are Southdown, Yardright and Old Castle. If you can't find these, you can do a test yourself. Take some white vinegar with you to the hardware store. Pour the vinegar on the sand. If the sand bubbles, it is aragonite and you can use it in your tank. If it does not bubble, it is silica and is not tank safe. If you get lucky and find aragonite, make sure you wash it thoroughly with RO water and RO/salt mixed water to make sure you wash away all the impurities before pouring it in your tank. HTH

 

[kaotik]

if youre going to use sand from the beach you might as well get your water from the gutter too because it is probably just as polluted as the sand you would be getting. The sand you buy is aquacultured in a controlled clean environment. Thats why you pay the big bucks!!!

 

[sin]

ok thanks for the advice every body