village surf
Member
ok i live in myrtle beach sc. my local fish store owner said that it would be fine to use beach sand. as long as i rinse it throughly. he said that he has even used it with no problems at all. what do all of you think?
beach sand
- Thread starter village surf
- Start date
village surf
Member
come on some body has to have an opinion on this subject?
marty
Member
Since you really want an opinion.... by no means am I an expert..........
For me, I wouldn't do it. It is not worth the effort to me to get the sand and really really rinse it as compared to buying say southdown sand and rinsing it probably less than beach sand.
Think about where the sand is. If you are talking beach sand, sand that is along the shore line, not under water several hundred feet off the shore, it probably has pollutants that I do not want in my tank. Now, if you are talking about sand several hundred feet from the shore under water, that might be ok. But is it legal to do so??? Thinking about the alternative with HD and live sand from an LFS (either online or local), I would take HD and LFS any day.
Of course, I do not change my own oil in my truck. I have some one do it for me. Much easier that way and done in 30 minutes.
Hope this helps!
For me, I wouldn't do it. It is not worth the effort to me to get the sand and really really rinse it as compared to buying say southdown sand and rinsing it probably less than beach sand.
Think about where the sand is. If you are talking beach sand, sand that is along the shore line, not under water several hundred feet off the shore, it probably has pollutants that I do not want in my tank. Now, if you are talking about sand several hundred feet from the shore under water, that might be ok. But is it legal to do so??? Thinking about the alternative with HD and live sand from an LFS (either online or local), I would take HD and LFS any day.
Of course, I do not change my own oil in my truck. I have some one do it for me. Much easier that way and done in 30 minutes.
Hope this helps!
village surf
Member
well its not axactly legal. but i really dont see a problem with doing it if the owner of my local pet store has done it and he has never stered me wrong. he says that the sand down her does not retian any run off or pollutants. so what do you think
village surf
Member
i know but it kind of like takeing dirt from a forest. if we all did it yes it would make a difference but i just need a small amount and they dredge anyway. from my point of view its like spending 7o dallars that i dont have or maybe live with the thought that there might be un wanted traces in the sand. iv used shells off the beach in my 55 and i didnt have one problem. so if i do how should i treat the sand ed.
marty
Member
How much are you needing? Take a look at the big picture and ask is it worth it? What if you do get caught? What if you don't rinse it well enough to get rid of any pollutants?
Although I must say if I lived on a beach (i.e. beachfront home), I would probably try some in a small tank first to see how well it works. But if I live several miles away from the beach (i.e. here in Dallas, sand is not real close
, I would go the tried and true route of buying sand.
IF your LFS has sand from the beach, how much does he sell it for? If he does sell it, how does that make you feel knowing where he gets the sand from?
Marty
Although I must say if I lived on a beach (i.e. beachfront home), I would probably try some in a small tank first to see how well it works. But if I live several miles away from the beach (i.e. here in Dallas, sand is not real close
, I would go the tried and true route of buying sand.IF your LFS has sand from the beach, how much does he sell it for? If he does sell it, how does that make you feel knowing where he gets the sand from?
Marty
village surf
Member
ow come on dont be such a tree huger. one way or another we all have done something illiegal.you mean you can honestly say i have never gone to the beach and gotten sand on my body and gotten in my car and left. see youve stolen sand. ed if i can ovoid paying 70 dallars for sand im ganna. dont feel like your puting me up to it just tell me what i should do with it be for it goes into my tank. thats all just help me out thats all im asking not for an enviromental lectur.
marty
Member
You asked for our opinions, we provided our opinions. Having a aquarium is also about choices. Do you want live rock or decorative corals? do you want live sand or crushed coral? Should you get a Fluval or an Eheim (sp??)? How many powerheads should you get? What type of lighting? And of course, what fish should I have?
Your question - sand from the beach or sand from an LFS? We gave our opinions and our logic and reasoning behind why we have our opinion.
Take it for what it is - an opinion and reasoning. You make your own decisions.
Good luck.
Your question - sand from the beach or sand from an LFS? We gave our opinions and our logic and reasoning behind why we have our opinion.
Take it for what it is - an opinion and reasoning. You make your own decisions.
Good luck.
cadbury
Member
village surf it already looks like you've fromed your own opinion, your just looking for approval. These are all valid opinions, I would definetly consider them? The sand from the beach do have pollutants, I would Not want to take that chance on expensive fish and corals to save a few bucks in turn you may loose alot more in livestock?
village surf
Member
you guys are right why spend 1000$ on a setup and have it all distroyed becouse of a few bucks. thanx for your advise. i can be hard headed sometimes but thats just me i guess.
cadbury
Member
village surf, I've had a 125 gallon before and took some short cuts, believe me, its not worth it. I've had my 180 gallon now for almost a year and its not even set-up yet, I've been getting everything I need slowly, I wanted to make sure I did this right. Its hard to stare at a empty tank for almost a year, next month I'll finally have it up and running. I literally lost at least over a couple of thousand in fish in taking short cuts, I hate for someone else to go through it!!! Good Luck with your tank and definetly listen to what these people say here, they know what there talking about, they've helped me alot!
tvan
Member
watch the people and the animals on the beach! If you could find an unspoiled part of the beach I'd say you were ok, but oil and gas from boats. Beer and cigs from adults . I hear even if you want sea water you need to harvest it at least 150 miles out form the shore. Just my two cents.
krusk
Member
well, how much gas do you burn for your boat to go 150 mi offshore to collect seawater and dive to get sand? how long is it gonna take to fill up your average small size 55 gallons tank?
if we are talking about "saving money" and do it "legally".
I don't think it is a wise thing to do. Even though you have the ability to do so.
if we are talking about "saving money" and do it "legally".
I don't think it is a wise thing to do. Even though you have the ability to do so.
saul t. waters
Member
I "stole" some wet sand from MYRTLE BEACH and put it in my 15 gallon, but the thing is, i dont have any fish in there just a few crabs, although i did take some bristle worms and pods from my main tank and cultivated it... but haven't tried fish in there... wait a few days and ill try a damsel or mollie and let u know how it goes...
fishymissy
Member
I don't know about the rest of the country, but here in Florida it is legal to take sand. BUT, there is a limit on it. One gallon bucket of sand per person per day.
You should check your local laws and see what they have to say about it. I would not do anything illegal regardless of how safe it is or how much money it will save you.
You should check your local laws and see what they have to say about it. I would not do anything illegal regardless of how safe it is or how much money it will save you.