Local Sand

Capoe126 · Sep 14, 2022

Hey guys,

I am starting a native saltwater aquarium for my classroom. I have some experience as I keep a pretty simply WB 20 saltwater tank.

I live on the Jersey Shore in the Raritan Bay area. For substrate I was thinking of collecting my own sand from the beach near me. I was planning on rinsing it with distilled or rodi water before placing in the tank. Is there anything I should be concerned about or additional steps I should take? Or should I scrap the idea all together and simply purchase sand or gravel?

Thanks!

SlugSnorter · Sep 14, 2022

ensure sand is free of pollutants and such, as with any wild addition, there is always the risk of parasites. In addition, if the tank will house coldwater species purchase a chiller

Capoe126 · Sep 14, 2022

SlugSnorter said:
ensure sand is free of pollutants and such, as with any wild addition, there is always the risk of parasites. In addition, if the tank will house coldwater species purchase a chiller

This is good advice, thank you.

davidcalgary29 · Sep 14, 2022

What species are you going to stock? Please tell me you are going to put sea robins or hogchokers in there, although they might be a tight fit for a 20g.

kingoftheHiLLpeople · Sep 14, 2022

@Paul B may have some tips

Capoe126 · Sep 15, 2022

davidcalgary29 said:
What species are you going to stock? Please tell me you are going to put sea robins or hogchokers in there, although they might be a tight fit for a 20g.

I am going to collect fish in a few weeks after the tank is set up. Sea robin are definitely a possibility. It will depend what I am able to seine or trap. I don't believe I have ever come across a hog choker though I know they are around.

Hoping for juvenile flounder, sea bass, blackfish and some bait fish such as killies. Since the tank is running for the school year I am not too worried about grow out. Fish will be returned to the bay in June

Bucs20fan · Sep 15, 2022

Capoe126 said:
I am going to collect fish in a few weeks after the tank is set up. Sea robin are definitely a possibility. It will depend what I am able to seine or trap. I don't believe I have ever come across a hog choker though I know they are around.

Hoping for juvenile flounder, sea bass, blackfish and some bait fish such as killies. Since the tank is running for the school year I am not too worried about grow out. Fish will be returned to the bay in June

Dont catch small flounder or sea bass with wandering eyes around LOL

Capoe126 · Sep 15, 2022

Bucs20fan said:
Dont catch small flounder or sea bass with wandering eyes around LOL

yes, yes. I will be careful of that.

Bucs20fan · Sep 15, 2022

Capoe126 said:
yes, yes. I will be careful of that.

I wont judge, I have a mangrove snapper in my fowlr.

afrokobe · Sep 15, 2022

You should check your local laws to see what you can collect. I think sand is usually fine

SlugSnorter · Sep 15, 2022

Capoe126 said:
I am going to collect fish in a few weeks after the tank is set up. Sea robin are definitely a possibility. It will depend what I am able to seine or trap. I don't believe I have ever come across a hog choker though I know they are around.

Hoping for juvenile flounder, sea bass, blackfish and some bait fish such as killies. Since the tank is running for the school year I am not too worried about grow out. Fish will be returned to the bay in June

The tank would be fine for 1 fish, 20gal is less than you think and sea robins may be too big. Make sure your tank works well for a cold(er) water tank, and has thick enough glass to prevent large amounts of condensation

Paul B · Sep 23, 2022

I have kept a local Long Island tank for many years but you have to be real careful using the sand from here unless it is like 1/4" or less. The grains are to small in a tank and it will develop hydrogen sulfide if it is deep. I would use the courser gravel from beaches in maybe bays which will be much courser. Like the size of rice.

Capoe126 · Dec 12, 2022

Hey, all so I have the tank up and running finally. Here in my classroom the water source has been a pain but I finally have two killies and one oyster toadfish in the tank.

Running the most basic system possible as this tank will be seasonal and broken down over the summer.

We are in a basement with no natural light. I am looking to keep seaweed alive in the tank, so I need lighting. Can anyone provide me with the cheapest led lighting options, id imagine algae in this area with low water clarity should not have a very high demand for lighting quality. Thank you!

Paul B · Dec 12, 2022

Actually the local algae still require quite bright lights. You can keep codium alive for a few months and you can collect it in the surf on ocean beaches in the summer.

It's this stuff.

Capoe126 · Dec 12, 2022

Paul B said:
Actually the local algae still require quite bright lights. You can keep codium alive for a few months and you can collect it in the surf on ocean beaches in the summer.

It's this stuff.

Very cool pics! I believe i have ulva and gracileria and probably some similar species of macroalgal found in raritan bay, nj. I really do not have the budget to spend more than 100. I am thinking one of these amazon lights such as this might be worth a try? Link: This light

What are your thoughts! Any suggestions?

VSVP bet · Dec 12, 2022

I had a native Long Island Sound tank for years. I went to the beach and used dry sand, it was on the coarse side. It was a 75-gallon tank an I prob had 2 inches of sand. I cleaned the sand with a hose and put it in the tank. I then carted 75 gallons worth of sea water and put it in the tank. I got rocks at low tide, and let the tank cycle for a week. Put in hermits and crabs i collected, then trapped fish and put them in. I have a boat so we were challenging our selves to catch the smallest species on barbless hooks to stock our tank, it was fun.

VSVP bet · Dec 12, 2022

Capoe126 said:
Hey, all so I have the tank up and running finally. Here in my classroom the water source has been a pain but I finally have two killies and one oyster toadfish in the tank.

Running the most basic system possible as this tank will be seasonal and broken down over the summer.

We are in a basement with no natural light. I am looking to keep seaweed alive in the tank, so I need lighting. Can anyone provide me with the cheapest led lighting options, id imagine algae in this area with low water clarity should not have a very high demand for lighting quality. Thank you!

A marineland or fluval sea LED bar would likely work, wont break the bank and is a solid light.

Paul B · Dec 12, 2022

If you collect local sand or rocks, don't wash it. It contains the bacteria you need so you won't have to cycle this tank and it will run perfectly from the start.
I have been keeping local New York tanks since the 50s.

Capoe126 · Dec 12, 2022

Very cool! I am definitely excited to keep this local tank. I have 20g saltwater at home with some clowns and I did save up money for proper equipment to run that.

This will be a new style for me trying to be ultra conservative in spending