Can I get "live sand" from the ocean?

[Swingline77]

Setting up a tank, I'd rather not have to wait for a DSB to develop. I live near long island sound. I'm thinking of driving to the beach, digging down a foot or so, and getting myself a bucket of sand. At the very least, this seems like a good way to seed a bed with a small amount.

A major concern I have is the introduction of pathogens by doing this. Another concern is that there was some SERIOUS PCB dumping around here in decades past. This might mean that an entire bucket of sand would be slightly toxic, but a spoonful shouldn't have that many pollutants in it.

The alternative is to find someone with an established tank, and ask for a 1/4 cup of sand to get things started. What do you think?

 

[Oscaror]

Setting up a tank, I'd rather not have to wait for a DSB to develop. I live near long island sound. I'm thinking of driving to the beach, digging down a foot or so, and getting myself a bucket of sand. At the very least, this seems like a good way to seed a bed with a small amount.

A major concern I have is the introduction of pathogens by doing this. Another concern is that there was some SERIOUS PCB dumping around here in decades past. This might mean that an entire bucket of sand would be slightly toxic, but a spoonful shouldn't have that many pollutants in it.

The alternative is to find someone with an established tank, and ask for a 1/4 cup of sand to get things started. What do you think?

Never heard of this, following

 

[KrisReef]

I think you are correct about risks from either the beach or from another tank. With the tank you can see if that system is thriving or not. The beach is a blind hole.
Gl

 

[DougBouma]

I have used it many times if you get it dry. But remember that it is very fine and hard on SPS here in California.

 

[Swingline77]

I have used it many times if you get it dry. But remember that it is very fine and hard on SPS here in California.

What do you mean, that you have used beach sand from above the high-tide mark, in the upper layers? Why is the fine nature of it a problem, does it go into the water column too easily?

 

[User1]

I'm not sure I would dig down and grab it lower as you suggest nor do I think it is bad grabbing a bit of sand from the beach. However, please keep in mind there are laws and regulations that will prevent you taking it from some areas such as marine reserves and/or parks. Not sure what state you live in or location but it wouldn't hurt to check before. I'm in Northern California but go diving all the time in Monterey and I just can't collect in most places I dive. However, there is a beach or two that I'll stop on the way home to collect some water and/or shells to provide new homes for the few hermits I have. I've also used these areas to collect NSW during the drought years after checking with the state water resource control board and also fish and game.

Now another thing to keep in mind that our home aquariums are warmer than the Atlantic or Pacific coasts water. Southern boarders of course like Florida on the East or Catalina on the West are warmer but still not like what you keep at home. I don't think the bacteria or biological life will do what you are wanting. My suggestion is to grab a cup or two from a LFS you trust or a fellow reefer. If neither of those options work you can buy a bag of it or just let it run its course during the traditional cycle.

If you bring anything over via an upgrade, or from a fellow reefer, or some rock or rubble (it doesn't have to be sand) life will find the sand and spread. I just saw this first hand when I upgraded my 40 breeder to a 210 gallon tank with 150 lbs of rock and 200 lbs of sand. Within a week or two I had worms and everything else spreading on everything and every inch of sand. Mother Nature is pretty amazing in the end.

 

[Rjukan]

@Paul B can fill you in.

 

[andrewkw]

In the old days it was very common when trading frags (before they cost money) to also exchange cups of sand. This was to increase biodiversity.

 

[Gareth elliott]

The ability to do this will depend on where you live, and how your tank deals with increased silica levels.

Every beach has a different source of its sand. If ever been to Nice, France you become acutely aware [emoji23].

But most beaches the deposits are from broken down silica based rocks. This material will readily add silica to your tank.

The sand we purchase, is similar to deposits from coral islands, the waste product of parrot fish eating coral skeletons.

I know @Paul B uses mud to increase the biodiversity in his tank. This does not have the same effect as is mainly decaying organic matter and the micro and macro fauna that live it. This does introduce some chances of adding unwanted creatures.

 

[brandon429]

A new rule is made for reefing. Nobody within a stones throw of a real ocean is allowed to purchase bottle bac. Ever.

In fact quite the opposite...If I had a trusted source that would ship me four ounces of Caymanian or Fijian reef water and not someone’s tap water from the city as a trick I’d pay for real reef water energizer shots as a consumer. Would definitely add that as a booster to my pico. I think I’d pay premium for some adjusted salinity Dead Sea dosers.

 

[Paul B]

@Paul B can fill you in.

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Long Island sound sand is much fine to use in a reef. But if you strain out the fine sand and just keep the courser stuff it can be the correct size but it is silica and not the best substrait I do use the mud for the biodiversity and welcome any parasites or hitchhikers. Been doing it forever

 

[Swingline77]

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Long Island sound sand is much fine to use in a reef. But if you strain out the fine sand and just keep the courser stuff it can be the correct size but it is silica and not the best substrait I do use the mud for the biodiversity and welcome any parasites or hitchhikers. Been doing it forever

Good to know. Thanks.

 

[Swingline77]

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Long Island sound sand is much fine to use in a reef. But if you strain out the fine sand and just keep the courser stuff it can be the correct size but it is silica and not the best substrait I do use the mud for the biodiversity and welcome any parasites or hitchhikers. Been doing it forever

Revisiting this thread, why is fine sand an issue, will it go "waterborne" easily? How course is course enough? Would a flour sifter be good?

 

[Paul B]

It will go waterborne easily and is to fine to allow oxygen to enter. in the bays of the Sound 1/4" under the sand is black hydrogen sulfide which you don't want in your tank. It is just to fine for a reef tank

 

[redfishbluefish]

It's already been said, but I wish to re-enforce it. The greater majority of us (I'd like to say all of us) use a carbonate based sand (crushed up dead coral). The sands you find on North East beaches (such as LI) are silicate based sands (crushed up rock). Best to have carbonate based sand in our tanks.

 

[Subsea]

Instead of collecting sand on the beach, go back in the salt water marshes & estuaries and collect some biodiversity. Add that to inoculate your tank.

I don’t live near the coast. I get live sand from vendors that have established ecosystems. Better than that is diver collected live rock from GOM.

 

[Paul B]

You don't live near the coast!!!!. Why Man? You need to move right away.

 

[smoothmove]

I used NJ sand from the beach- Long Beach Island with good results. The problem comes when all the hidden stuff starts to hatch. About six months into an established tank, I started seeing small clams, sand fleas and dozens of mystery crabs appearing. I had to scoop them out and return them to their home. The sand will also scratch the glass easier when using a glass cleaning magnet. Would I used it again, absolutely. Just be ready to deal with mystery creatures appearing.

 

[emilios_reeftank]

Yea I think your good, but like the others mentioned only if its dry. You could bring a lot of unwanted guest into your tank if you take wet sand.

 

[Subsea]

You don't live near the coast!!!!. Why Man? You need to move right away.

I would consider Montauge Point, but northeasterners chill me. I could consider Corpus Christie but hurricanes kill me. I could consider San Diego but for the “big quake”.

This Cajun/Aggie has seen enough blue water. After working in “deep water” drilling for 35 years, I spent 24/7 for > 17 years of my life on deep water. With an ROV, I could do work underwater. It was an adventure: two hurricane eyes and several undersea earthquakes while in 5000’ of water.