Tank elements direct from nature?

[blackdog]

I am brand new to marine aquaria -- still doing research and the tank (55 gal long) is sitting empty til I get a little smarter. I live less than a mile from the Massachusetts coast, and my question is whether it is possible to add elements to the tank straight from the beach. First, is it safe for the tank? Second, is it considered unethical or in bad taste?
1. shells for hermit crabs
2. sand brought home in a bucket
3. macroalgae/seaweed/crustaceans from tide pools
My uniformed belief is that it would be totally cool to stock my tank with geniune sand from where I live -- connecting with my environment and such. And to be able to say "See that hermit crab? He's wearing a house I brought home for him from Key Largo."
As far as safety to the tank goes, would it depend on whether something like the sand was introduced at the very beginning and allowed to cycle--before after or concurrent with live rock or commercial live sand? I'm also not sure how I would determine the size of the granules were I to try such a thing. Later in the tank's life, would you be able to quarantine objects from nature before adding them to the tank? Looking forward to hearing your opinions.
-Dave
38 gal freshwater with cichlids, where life is nasty, brutish and short

 

[wally]

A lot will depend on what you want to do with this tank? The creatures you collect locally will not do well in the warm temps that fish from the coral reefs need since they come from much colder waters.
If on the other hand you want to create a "local bio-type" tank you shouldn't have any problems with the livestock. I would be be very careful with sand that you collect from the beach and would not use it. The sandy beach area of the ocean is one giant filter. The waves create foam just like a skimmer and the sand traps all sorts of trash as the waves and tides come in and out. And thats not to mention the crap that people have dumped into the ocean and throw on the beach. As far as shells and the like just be sure to boil them to kill any nasties.
If you collect livestock the standard quarantine tank is a very good idea. There are a lot of cool fish and invert species that you can collect along the N.E. Coast. I used to live in Maryland and in the summer months I could even find a fair amount of Carribean fish that rode the Gulf Stream up north. But a lot of the real native stuff is quite cool as well.
Also check with your fish and game dept. to see of its legal. In most states it falls under the regulations of collecting live bait and is perfectly legal, in some states like Florida certain species and certain areas are off limits.

 

[garyfla]

Hi
I'm doing something quite similar with
a 125.I live in south florida but am not
particularly interested in reef tanks
I thought more of a sand flat or tide pool setup.
In your case I would certainly check into licenses and local laws.I assume you're talking more of an invert tank than fish.?
Most of the fish in your area are definitely
cold water.
As to collecting materials.Try to find areas away from shipping and beach areas
Does the area appear clean? Does it smell clean.Look at wildlife in area are they acting normal?Put some in bucket with a little water.What is living in it how many
should be there and in those numbers? Most
important is the sand devoid of life Why?
What thoughts have you given to temp control for your tank?
Contact me personally and we'll kick around
some ideas.Not much info on this side of the hobby.
MStark7789@aol.com Gary

 

[stevel]

BlackDog
Thats how I got started in saltwater.I live on an Island in the northeast and do a lot of snokeling.I wanted to watch the fish year round so I setup a 55 and stocked it with fish and critters from my area.The good thing about it is if the fish or critters don't workout you just relese them and try somthing else. some grow very fast so you might want to set up a bigger tank.I think the hardest part was to keep it cool in the summer.I'm going to do it again when I set up a new tank so I can use the old one for it.