Ocean water and Sand to help "seed"

[tammy]

Hello Everyone my name is Tammy and I am very new to this web site. I am very impressed with the knowledge and advice everyone gives out. I have kept freshwater fish for about 20 years and I have finally decided to set up a 135 gallon salt water tank. I have been trying to read everything I can in regards to this but I do have a couple of questions that may seem very silly to everyone. I was wondering if it would be OK to use some beach sand? If it was from a very clean place? Also to help seed the tank could I use some real ocean water? Please give me your thoughts and suggestions. Thanks!!

 

[trigahappynigerog]

get live sand and ocean water at the lfs. going to the beach and getting sand and water might have alot of unwanted bacteria.

 

[q]

Yep, use sand and maybe some LR rubble from an establish tank to seed it. When going from a beach you never know what you might get.

 

[mr . salty]

Beach sand is a gamble.You never know what kind of pollutants you are getting.You see,the beaches are our oceans skimmers.This explains the foam you see there.As for the water,There is very little actual bacteria that lives in the water itself.Most of what you need is in the live sand,and rock that is in our tanks...I would HIGHLY reccomend buying the sand,and rock from either this sites store,or a GOOD local fish store...Stay away from stores that sell anything other than fish,and aquarium supplies.Go to a dedicated fish store...