Can i use California ocean sand

[805lopez1989]

I live near Santa Barbara 2 hours north of Los Angeles near the beach can I use the beach sand as my sand bed?

 

[Chrisv.]

I'd be concerned that the sand in CA is likely silica based and might lead to high silicates/algae blooms. Reef sand is normally calcium based, from dead calcareous algae, or coral, or shells. But hopefully someone with first hand experience with sand from Santa Barbara can weigh in.

Given how cheap sand is compare to everything else, I'd never cut that corner.

 

[805lopez1989]

Your right thanks I was just wondering

 

[Mikec805]

I'm in Goleta. I agree on not using sand from our beaches. MAYBE if you were able to collect it far offshore. Easier to just buy a bag. The best we can get is free natural seawater from UCSB.

 

[fachatga]

I’m from around there. I would be more worried about pollution than anything. Even the best beaches in SoCal are always rated pretty nasty