Re: Live Sand

[Dragon Slayer]

if you can collect either sand or water many many miles from the coast, then
it is fine to use in the tank.

from the beach NO its not safe to use in your tank it has many pollutants in
it from rain runoff.

kc

"Kelly" > wrote in message
...
> I live in the pacific northwest and I am wondering if I can use the beach
> sand in my tank. I have had conflicting answers so far. Some people say if
> the sand is dry then it doesn't matter and others say if the sand is wet
it
> will have lots if good things in it that will help the new tank cycle etc.
>
> I have had the same conflicting answers regarding water. Some say it could
> have toxins and others say since it is sea water it is the best form of
> water for the marine tank, having the plankton already in it.
>
> Can someone clear this up for me? I haven't asked too many LFS since they
> are all more keen on selling things from their shop.
>
> Kelly
>
>

[Michelle Leonard]

I live in a small town on the north east coast of Florida. Although I do not
use the sand here, as I am told that it's heavy content of broken shells
will leach undesireds into my tank, I do regularly collect the sea water for
use in both my tanks. I've been told all kinds of the same conflicting
advice, but I can only tell you of my experience. Collect at the peak of
the incoming high tide. If you collect at low tide, you will have a higher
concentration of phosphates from the sand -- also, try not to collect within
72 hours after a rain for the same reasons. I have even had to collect at
low tide in emergency situations and been fine, although I don't recommend
it for everyday use. I'm still trying to figure out about water changes --
as I'm always told conflicting things in that area. Some say yes, some say
no. One of the owners of a LFS in my area is a Marine Bioligist (he loves
to brag about it) and he swears he hasn't done a water change on a gorgeous
90 gal reef in his store in over 7 years. Personally, I think water changes
are good. My tanks react positively to all water changes, although I
probably don't do them often enough out of pure laziness and lack of time.
A good rule of thumb would be to thoroughly test your water before adding it
for the first few collections, to be sure it's good. Check everything,
especially phosphates and keep a good phosphate sponge in your sump. IME,
no problem.


"Dragon Slayer" > wrote in message
...
> if you can collect either sand or water many many miles from the coast,
then
> it is fine to use in the tank.
>
> from the beach NO its not safe to use in your tank it has many pollutants
in
> it from rain runoff.
>
> kc
>
> "Kelly" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I live in the pacific northwest and I am wondering if I can use the
beach
> > sand in my tank. I have had conflicting answers so far. Some people say
if
> > the sand is dry then it doesn't matter and others say if the sand is wet
> it
> > will have lots if good things in it that will help the new tank cycle
etc.
> >
> > I have had the same conflicting answers regarding water. Some say it
could
> > have toxins and others say since it is sea water it is the best form of
> > water for the marine tank, having the plankton already in it.
> >
> > Can someone clear this up for me? I haven't asked too many LFS since
they
> > are all more keen on selling things from their shop.
> >
> > Kelly
> >
> >
>
>
>

[Dragon Slayer]

I have used the sand from the panhandle area that has many broken shells in
it and it has never caused any problems at all. the shells are calcium
based so if they leach anything, its something good.

I don't recommend using the sand because of the chance it MIGHT have
pollutants in it, but I myself have used it with no ill effects. but its
taking a chance. as for water changes, red tide is something we have to
conceder here in the gulf and its just not worth it at all IMO to use this
water in your reef, when artificial salt isn't that much.

kc

"Michelle Leonard" > wrote in message
.. .
> I live in a small town on the north east coast of Florida. Although I do
not
> use the sand here, as I am told that it's heavy content of broken shells
> will leach undesireds into my tank, I do regularly collect the sea water
for
> use in both my tanks. I've been told all kinds of the same conflicting
> advice, but I can only tell you of my experience. Collect at the peak of
> the incoming high tide. If you collect at low tide, you will have a higher
> concentration of phosphates from the sand -- also, try not to collect
within
> 72 hours after a rain for the same reasons. I have even had to collect at
> low tide in emergency situations and been fine, although I don't recommend
> it for everyday use. I'm still trying to figure out about water
changes --
> as I'm always told conflicting things in that area. Some say yes, some
say
> no. One of the owners of a LFS in my area is a Marine Bioligist (he loves
> to brag about it) and he swears he hasn't done a water change on a
gorgeous
> 90 gal reef in his store in over 7 years. Personally, I think water
changes
> are good. My tanks react positively to all water changes, although I
> probably don't do them often enough out of pure laziness and lack of time.
> A good rule of thumb would be to thoroughly test your water before adding
it
> for the first few collections, to be sure it's good. Check everything,
> especially phosphates and keep a good phosphate sponge in your sump. IME,
> no problem.
>
>
> "Dragon Slayer" > wrote in message
> ...
> > if you can collect either sand or water many many miles from the coast,
> then
> > it is fine to use in the tank.
> >
> > from the beach NO its not safe to use in your tank it has many
pollutants
> in
> > it from rain runoff.
> >
> > kc
> >
> > "Kelly" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > I live in the pacific northwest and I am wondering if I can use the
> beach
> > > sand in my tank. I have had conflicting answers so far. Some people
say
> if
> > > the sand is dry then it doesn't matter and others say if the sand is
wet
> > it
> > > will have lots if good things in it that will help the new tank cycle
> etc.
> > >
> > > I have had the same conflicting answers regarding water. Some say it
> could
> > > have toxins and others say since it is sea water it is the best form
of
> > > water for the marine tank, having the plankton already in it.
> > >
> > > Can someone clear this up for me? I haven't asked too many LFS since
> they
> > > are all more keen on selling things from their shop.
> > >
> > > Kelly
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>

[Rugburns]

I used sand before. I suggest to boil first.

Ruggie

[Dragon Slayer]

if you boil it then you defeat the purpose of live sand in the first place.

kc

"Rugburns" > wrote in message
...
> I used sand before. I suggest to boil first.
>
> Ruggie
>