I would like to run a DSB in my fuge, I already have ab 2-3" of sand (running 1.5 yrs) and need some advice ab beach sand. Should I use it, wet or dry. Will it cause a mini cycle, I don't want to disturb my existing sand bed but don't know if I should cover it w/ the 'new' beach sand. All advice appreciated
beach sand
- Thread starter Will C
- Start date
OzoneParkGuy
Advanced Reefer
- Location
- Ozone Park
+1 E. Pollutants.... no need to say more.
If your gonna take sand from the ocean here i would let it sit for a minimum 6 weeks so if theres any bad bacteria or pests in it they will die off....you will pmost likely kill good bacteria also....and everytime u do a water change on your main tank or if u can get water from an established tank put it in a seperate tank with that ocean beach sand...like a hospital tank or something....ive done it before worked fine jus need to be patient....need to be patient
sometimes the simple answer is the correct one!
The sand around here is silica sand. The sand most often used in marine aquariums is oolitic calcium based sand. Two completely different types.
Some say the silica feeds algae, some say its great stuff. But needless to say, all the crap that gets dumped on the beaches around here lingers in the sand. Would you really want that in your controlled environment.
Why bother with it, buy some at your LFS or look around in on MR. There is usually some that comes by as a freeby.
Some say the silica feeds algae, some say its great stuff. But needless to say, all the crap that gets dumped on the beaches around here lingers in the sand. Would you really want that in your controlled environment.
Why bother with it, buy some at your LFS or look around in on MR. There is usually some that comes by as a freeby.
Don't do it.
First off, it's not the right type of sand. You want calcium sand; the stuff around here is silica sand.
Second, contaminants. Good lord, there's a lot of various metals laying around. Sand from the ocean beaches on Long Island often contains very high iron levels, and god knows what else. Petroleum distillates, heavy metals, organics, fertilizer runoff...it's just not worth it to risk your reef tank.
First off, it's not the right type of sand. You want calcium sand; the stuff around here is silica sand.
Second, contaminants. Good lord, there's a lot of various metals laying around. Sand from the ocean beaches on Long Island often contains very high iron levels, and god knows what else. Petroleum distillates, heavy metals, organics, fertilizer runoff...it's just not worth it to risk your reef tank.
- Location
- Long Island, 11769
Personally, I wouldn't do it. I practically spent my whole childhood digging around on the beaches of Long Island/Fire Island, and you wouldn't believe some of the things I have found- scraps of metal, broken electronic, copious amounts of cigarette butts, unidentified pills (must have fallen out of someone's bag,) and my personal favorite...used feminie hygiene products! Even as an 10 year old I would say "well, that's a biohazard." I think you'd be better off buying more live sand and adding adding a few cups of sand from an established tank for seeding purposes, you wouldn't want to accidentally add someone else's DNA to your tank 
- Location
- north jersey
and my personal favorite...used feminie hygiene products! Even as an 10 year old I would say "well, that's a biohazard." , you wouldn't want to accidentally add someone else's DNA to your tank
normally i love your writing....but this one is a bit too much information, quite graphic, and ewwwww.....gross.....lol.
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