Natural beach sand
- Thread starter inetjnky
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I also have such a native tank and have had it for many years.
No native tank is complete without a brick. I used your article as a refrence a few weeks ago.
http://forum.nanfa.org/index.php/topic/15756-marine-setup-question/
I have been diving in the Caymans too. It was a while ago but I remember going to stingray cove. It was a great place, unlike Kingston, Jamaica where I had a layover.
thehammer1985
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I know it's a deadhorse but I just wanna use some logic here on why sand may not be good from the shoreline . That sand as the tide rushes against it is a natural protein skimmer so all the ick we want out of our tanks and the ocean is sitting on the sand in those areas . Just my 2 cents
justaDutchguy
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Exactly that was my feeling about it, I just didn't put it in those words. Wasn't protein skimming discovered on the inpiration of foam landing on beaches?
thehammer1985
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Lol yes that's why I had to say that I just forgot the foam part
Paul B
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Bricks are great and that brick is New York native because I found it underwater.
There is a lot of worry about using stuff from a beach and collecting water from a beach etc. I have been putting mud in my reef for over forty years. I added some more of it yesterday. I love the stuff. I also love bacteria and NSW. If you have ever visited the places where our fish are collected you will notice many of them don't even have sewage facilities, the fish are fine. Beach sand is very pure as long as you collect it where the water hits it at high tide. If you are worried about that. Grab a glass of Merlot and relax. The only problem with beach sand from here in the north is that it is to fine. If you find a beach composed of gravel, you can use that. Our tanks do not need to be sterile and a sterile tank is an unhealthy tank. Fish get their immune system from bacteria and maybe the bikini tops, MP3 players and Oldsmobiles found on beaches, but I am not certain of that.
I put some of this mud in my tank yesterday just for the bacteria.
Paul B
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I don't use local beach sand, but not because I am afraid of what's in it. It is just to fine. I add a little mud for the bacteria. I normally put it in a container in the tank for a few days, then remove it as I don't need the mud, just the bacteria. I like bacteria and want loads of it. The sea is full of bacteria and so should our tanks. I just posted a thread on immunity and my theories on that is all in there
What are your thoughts of using that mud as a remote deep sand bed? It is something I have thought about doing. I figure you will get lots of organisms such as worms, sea squirts and clams to help maintain the water quality and provide some food.
That "virgin" beach sand on Assateague is not as clean as you might think. The Corps of Engineers has been dumping sand on that beach out of Ocean City harbor for 20 years. Every contaminant that was ever dumped in the water in OC is in that sand.
Paul B
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cu455, that mud is much to fine to make much of anything out of. If you dig down even 1/2" it is black and stinks.
Only the very near surface has life.
Only the very near surface has life.
