DIY Live Sand

[dennycrane]

I am just getting back into the aquarium hobby after a small absence from it and invested in a JBJ 24g Nano. I've decided on Live Sand and Live Rock and janiter type animals for filtration / maintenance.
I live in an area fairly accessible to the northern Florida area of the Gulf Coast. The sand there is extremely beautiful (in my well traveled experience - the MOST beautiful) and fairly removed from any pollutants. I know that ecosystem is teaming with life such as clams, sand filtering crabs, etc.
My question is, has anybody opted to use sand from their local ecosystems with any success, and are there any pros and cons to using this sand that I may be overlooking?
*The sand I'm referring to would be that which is 5-6 feet deep - NOT the dry material on the beach.

 

[crashedin0]

well my cousin did it here in miami but i do not recommend it in any cases he got extremly lucky
if you want to do this i wish you luck
probly better if you go as deep as possable snorkle and fin with a buddy and take turns going down or holding the cooler on a floaty object

 

[reeftank27]

ive done it, i have a 125 with stingrays and they love it, i didnt get florida sand, all i got was maryland and new jersey, i didnt get enough the first time so when i went to maryland for vacation i got more, people say no, but ive had great luck, so i say go for it