Beach sand

[TopGun619]

Hello I was wondering if I could use beach sand from my Hometown. We are going on vacation to go there next week and I would like to bring back some of our beach sand to my house. We have moved away and are no longer near a beach.. I would love if the bottom of my tank looked like the sand from my Hometown. It is a black and Gray sand so it would remind me of home. Not doing it to save money trying to do it because I would like the way it looks so I'm more looking 1st or looking for steps that I would take to be able to use it in a brand new 40 gallon Saltwater tank. Thank you for your time reading and I would appreciate any knowledge on the subject thank you and have a blessed day.

 

[jiggysmb]

I had heard years ago of a guy doing this on a new tank and it made the water stink. However if you have live rock to use I would guess that would limit any decaying matter or bacteria taking over. Another thought, white sand reflects light back up, I would think the darker tan sand on the east coast may not be as attractive.

 

[IKD]

Also watch for the types of nutrients that come with the sand. Black sand (or beach sand in general) may have silicates and other nutrients that can spur unwanted algae/cyano growth

 

[TopGun619]

Also watch for the types of nutrients that come with the sand. Black sand (or beach sand in general) may have silicates and other nutrients that can spur unwanted algae/cyano growth

If I wash and back it won't it kill most stuff in it?

 

[IKD]

It’s not the living critters so much as the composition of elements like silicates, phosphates, contaminants bound in the sand. Not saying don’t try it, but recommend getting testing done before adding any livestock.

 

[Timfish]

As mentioned above there is the risk of unwanted minerals or chemicals but it could be a good way to introduce a lot of the beneficial microbial stuff that can't be stuck in a bottle (see @PaulB threads). I'd try it though (maybe set up a small tank to try it in first?). To keep from killing the beneficial stuff I'd make up some fresh salt water when your there and rinse the sand a couple times by stirring it well or dumping from one bucket into another bucket with the new salt water.

 

[rmorris_14]

You might check to make sure it is allowed first

 

[TopGun619]

You might check to make sure it is allowed first

Don't think some will notice if I grab a 1 gallon bucket. Not doing my whole tank. Just a nice top layer to give it the same look.

 

[Duncan62]

Hello I was wondering if I could use beach sand from my Hometown. We are going on vacation to go there next week and I would like to bring back some of our beach sand to my house. We have moved away and are no longer near a beach.. I would love if the bottom of my tank looked like the sand from my Hometown. It is a black and Gray sand so it would remind me of home. Not doing it to save money trying to do it because I would like the way it looks so I'm more looking 1st or looking for steps that I would take to be able to use it in a brand new 40 gallon Saltwater tank. Thank you for your time reading and I would appreciate any knowledge on the subject thank you and have a blessed day.

It works like uncured rock. Some things in the sand will die but the bacteria will live. In fact, lots of things will live. Rinse with salt water before adding the sand. The smell is just you cycle. East coast or west? Just curious.

 

[Duncan62]

I had heard years ago of a guy doing this on a new tank and it made the water stink. However if you have live rock to use I would guess that would limit any decaying matter or bacteria taking over. Another thought, white sand reflects light back up, I would think the darker tan sand on the east coast may not be as attractive.

All east coast sand isn't the same. Lol. It different in texture and color . Even local differences are dramatic. The beach may be fine gray sand. At liw tide walk out 50 yards on the bat and it's corse white and black with chips of shell and coral skeletons.

 

[rmorris_14]

Don't think some will notice if I grab a 1 gallon bucket. Not doing my whole tank. Just a nice top layer to give it the same look.

I'm a rule follower. The idea of doing something like that if isn't allowed, makes my eye twitch with anxiety LOL.

I'm sure it will be fine!

 

[Dave1993]

read somewhere that black sand can have unwanted metals in so be careful with that i would just buy some and not risk if it was me

 

[ZoWhat]

Just use the sand in outdoor cigarette ashtrays

 

[TopGun619]

It works like uncured rock. Some things in the sand will die but the bacteria will live. In fact, lots of things will live. Rinse with salt water before adding the sand. The smell is just you cycle. East coast or west? Just curious.

West. From Imperial Beach. And like said before the sand is different there than it is in the rest of San Diego. It's a black/Grey sand.

 

[rmorris_14]

Just use the sand in outdoor cigarette ashtrays

 

[flagg37]

Keep in mind that the beaches are the oceans filtration system. All the pollutants end up there. Along with the runoff from whatever was on the land.

Personally, I’d do it but I’d wash it really good and would still be cautious.

 

[Nemo&Friends]

I have done it. I washed the sand and even bake the sand before adding to my tank, as I was scared of contamination. I liked the beach sand texture better than the other available medium.

 

[Duncan62]

West. From Imperial Beach. And like said before the sand is different there than it is in the rest of San Diego. It's a black/Grey sand.

I've been to the northwest a good bit. Everything there from brown to yellow. I'm in NC. It's of topic but I saw amazing neon nems all over the rocks in Oregon. Definitely a chilled tank required. Familiar with these?

 

[TopGun619]

I've been to the northwest a good bit. Everything there from brown to yellow. I'm in NC. It's of topic but I saw amazing neon nems all over the rocks in Oregon. Definitely a chilled tank required. Familiar with these?

Lots of them in San diego. Not been up north much.

 

[Drummingbaker2010]

I had heard years ago of a guy doing this on a new tank and it made the water stink. However if you have live rock to use I would guess that would limit any decaying matter or bacteria taking over. Another thought, white sand reflects light back up, I would think the darker tan sand on the east coast may not be as attractive.

you can probably do it, as it would help to introduce the necessary bacteria to start the nitrification cycle of your new tank, but you would need to either plan to mix it with some other sand, or make sure that you would have enough to line the bottom of your tank to the desired depth which can be hugely space consuming, not to mention extremely heavy. You would also run the risk as someone has already mentioned, of adding undesirable bacteria, or other undesired hitch-hikers with the sand. It has both it's benefits and downsides.