Gulf of Mexico sand.

[BestMomEver]

I've always wanted “real” live sand but have just bought the stuff in a bag for convenience. My family has property at Gulf Shores, Al and I am thinking about getting some sand from the beach for my tank. I’m not gonna remove my sand bed, just adding to it. Do y’all have an opinion? If I get some, do I wash it first or just put it in? If I wash it won’t that take all the good stuff out? Please give me your thoughts...

 

[Crabs McJones]

My best piece of advice would be to check local laws first. Removing anything from the beach whether it be rock, sand, or livestock in some parts of the country are considered illegal unless you have the proper permits. And I would also suggest if you do get it to wash it out very well first. You just never know what's in there. Especially if it's near where boats are operated. Gas, oil and other pollutants could be mixed in there.

 

[AlexStinson]

Beach sand is gross. Don't do it. I did it and you wouldn't believe all the things that my 'clean' sand had in it. Stuff like aluminum can tops, bottlecaps, peices of plastic etc.

 

[BestMomEver]

Yea...

Beach sand is gross. Don't do it. I did it and you wouldn't believe all the things that my 'clean' sand had in it. Stuff like aluminum can tops, bottlecaps, peices of plastic etc.

I know. I grew up at the beach. This would come from private beach so garbage would be only stuff that floated up and, therefore, easy to go through and clean.

As for permits, like I said, this is private property. No one will even know I’m there.

 

[vegamedic]

As for permits, like I said, this is private property. No one will even know I’m there.

Questions like this get asked quite a bit, and as you're finding this forum is pretty staunchly against removing anything from the ocean in a non-sustainable or illegal (no matter how petty) way.

That aside, I wouldn't. It's not garbage you should be worried about, it's hydrocarbons and other pollutants that get trapped in beach sand.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Yep, contaminants locked in the sand would be a no go. These would leach out into your tank. I personally wouldn't do it.

Now dive down a mile off the coast and get some, possible.

 

[GoonReef]

if you want to try i guess you could get some sand and place it in a bucket for fresh saltwater (match salinity) keep it heated and test the PO4 ect. after say a week ? Or even better take a water sample and ICP test it after a week. Then you will know 100% if its even remotely safe for you tank.

But if it comes from the sea to our sterile ish tanks... error on the side of caution.. its your battle after that.

 

[BestMomEver]

Questions like this get asked quite a bit, and as you're finding this forum is pretty staunchly against removing anything from the ocean in a non-sustainable or illegal (no matter how petty) way.

That aside, I wouldn't. It's not garbage you should be worried about, it's hydrocarbons and other pollutants that get trapped in beach sand.

I didn't mean I would do anything illegal. I was kinda saying that in a "tongue in cheek" kinda way. I would check permits of course. But my granddaughter and nieces disturb the sand when they make sand castles more than I would. I would only want half of a five gallon bucket. Maybe not even that much. But I didn't think of the unknown pollutants. I know a lot of people on this forum that live near the water get their sand and water fresh from the sea. I guess I was hoping some of those people would respond too. Thanks!

 

[AdamNC]

I’d be worried about the oil leak down there some years back.

 

[cracker]

I guess I was hoping some of those people would respond too. Thanks!

Here Ya go ES I'm on the North East coast of Florida I do collect live sand from local waters. So is Gulf Shore is in Mississippi right ?Or Florida. I have thoroughly been over the game & fish regulations here in florida. There is no mention of sand anywhere. I assure they are very explicit on what You & can, what not. I know that surf fisherman strain the beach sand for sand fleas, take them home for next day. They take some sand with them. great fishing baits ! Anyway I wouldn't collect on the beach but an inshore place. There is always the danger of getting polluted sand. That's up to you only I personally try to find the most pristine place You can.
Are You looking for more bacteria or just adding more sand? collect as late as possible& you dn't have to worry about aeration. Just keep the container open in the shade. Take the water temp try to keep you sand & waterin the shade. I personally like the idea !
Oh Are You driving? Here is a thread where this is discussed a lot
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/thinking-about-collecting-some-wild-sand-today.369906/

 

[ZoWhat]

You'll be adding unknown strains of good and bad bacteria

Would you eat a random mushroom growing on a dead treelog you found during a nature hike?

Dont do it

 

[BestMomEver]

Here Ya go ES I'm on the North East coast of Florida I do collect live sand from local waters. So is Gulf Shore is in Mississippi right ?Or Florida. I have thoroughly been over the game & fish regulations here in florida. There is no mention of sand anywhere. I assure they are very explicit on what You & can, what not. I know that surf fisherman strain the beach sand for sand fleas, take them home for next day. They take some sand with them. great fishing baits ! Anyway I wouldn't collect on the beach but an inshore place. There is always the danger of getting polluted sand. That's up to you only I personally try to find the most pristine place You can.
Are You looking for more bacteria or just adding more sand? collect as late as possible& you dn't have to worry about aeration. Just keep the container open in the shade. Take the water temp try to keep you sand & waterin the shade. I personally like the idea !
Oh Are You driving? Here is a thread where this is discussed a lot
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/thinking-about-collecting-some-wild-sand-today.369906/

Our home is at Orange Beach, AL. It’s about two miles from the FL border. We also have property on Cotton Bayou which is part of an interior group of Gulf fed bayous and inlets. If you look at the map and see the hwy 182 designation, Cotton Bayou is the body of water immediately behind it.

https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en-...hUKEwjs1fuRz6jcAhUGnKwKHTT6DScQ8gEwAXoECAEQDQ

 

[BestMomEver]

Here are some photos of our beaches.... some of the whitest in the world. The sand is fine like sugar and crystal white.

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en...ark-perdido-key-state-park.jpg&viewerState=ga

 

[ThunderGoose]

Don't forget to check federal regulations as well as state and local. Technically speaking ALL ocean front is public property up to the high tide line. There are no "private" beaches. Legally speaking. It's part of the Public Trust Doctrine.

And remember, it may not seem like you're removing a lot of sand but if we ALL went and got a 5 gallon bucket of sand... 350 million Americans X 5 gallons... I'll leave the math to you.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I collected some sand from just into the water off a beach in Naples, FL when I lived there (before I started in this hobby). I was surprised at the number of 'things' that developed in the water. Stuff growing out of the sand was a big surprise. IMHO it's probably OK, but I'd wash it good before I'd use it in a tank.

 

[BestMomEver]

Don't forget to check federal regulations as well as state and local. Technically speaking ALL ocean front is public property up to the high tide line. There are no "private" beaches. Legally speaking. It's part of the Public Trust Doctrine.

And remember, it may not seem like you're removing a lot of sand but if we ALL went and got a 5 gallon bucket of sand... 350 million Americans X 5 gallons... I'll leave the math to you.

Exactly right. Our beach ends where the water line begins. Subsequently, when the tide is low, we have more land! It’s interesting because if we wanted to be rude, we could make any walkers/joggers that passed in front of the house, stay in the water line so they wouldn’t be trespassing. Of course we wouldn’t but we could. It’s our own little slice of paradise... 100 feet of heaven!