live sand

[reefkeeper8]

I live in SW Florida. I was wondering if anyone has every tried useing the sand from the beach to set up a reef tank. When I say beach sand I mean going out to about 12 to 15 feet of water an collecting the sand from the bottom or would this be a bad idea.

 

[paneubert]

A lot of people say no. Way to many contaminants that close to shore. Search around here for other threads. I know I have seen them. Even when people claim they are going to go out on a boat hundreds of yards off-shore, people still say no way.

 

[paneubert]

Good one:
http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... beach+sand

Other ones:

http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... beach+sand
http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... beach+sand
http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... beach+sand
http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... beach+sand

 

[Anonymous]

I'd have to agree...too much of a chance of contamination. The risk far outweights the gain IMO/

 

[kennyfish]

Although people like Walter Addy and Lee Chen Eng say its the best way. I guess alot depends on if you are going to run a natural system or not.