sand?

[rico234]

can i use sand from the beach for a freshwater tank?

[Hooked Newbie]

Probally, but I'd think you'd want to boil it or let it sun dry completely for a week or more.

[BoredAgain]

Depending on the source, sure...I wouldn't though.

[Blueiz]

I wouldnt. There is a great possiblity that it would contain pollution, or parasites that in home aquaria would wipe out your tank, or cause unneccasary disease risk..

[rico234]

so if i boil it would it be ok?
and is there anything else that i can use that has the same consistancy

[Blueiz]

Yuo can use pool filter sand, runs about 5 dollars for fifty pounds here. Or you can use play sand.. There is also the option to buy sand from your LFS that is used for marine tanks..

[rico234]

and i live in the caribbean so the sand is pretty clean

[rico234]

what is play sand
and filter sand?

[BoredAgain]

what is play sand
and filter sand?

This is the play sand that I use:

http://www.quikrete.com/ProductLines/SandPremiumPlay.asp

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/7968/41d2vqqij2lsl500aa280dn4.jpg

[Blueiz]

Lucky you.. :drool: If you like, you can do a test and try to use it and see what, if anything happens...

Pool filter sand is silica sand used in pool filters. Play sand is what is used for kid sand boxes and such..

[rico234]

so if i use it what do i need to test for?
ph,gh,hk?

[SchizotypalVamp]

I would put it in a tank and monitor those levels for a while before adding anything. Maybe do a fishless cycle while using the sand and test the levels, I don't know....

[BoredAgain]

Just more trouble than it's worth. I'm sure you can find play sand or pool filter sand where you are.

[Blueiz]

Because its not "just sand" it will be hard to determine what effect it will have on a fw system. You are correct in what you will need to test for.. depending the results, the type of fw fish you will be able to have may be very limited...

[rico234]

ok i think it will be pretty difficult to find play sand or pool filter sand.i will try
what about sw tanks,what sand do they use? can i use it in fw?

[mattmartindrift]

use pool-filter sand, go to any pool supply store and you should be able to find it.

Play sand can be found at home improvement stores, but, i've found it to create anaerobic spots.

[KarlTh]

Beach sand in the Caribbean is likely to be from coral, so a very bad idea. River sand would be better; you could probably collect a few wild guppies at the same time.

Don't use sand for marine tanks; it may also be coral sand. Marine tanks run at a very high hardness and pH, because that's how the sea is. Most freshwater fish require far lower levels of dissolved minerals.

[NickD]

Isn't the salt in beach sand a problem? Does washing get enough of it out?

[Zebulon]

You don't want to use a sand source for freshwater tank that is partially made up of microscopic shells or other animal skeletons. You want sand that is made up of mineral crystals that won't affect your water parameters. The only way to guarantee this is to buy mechanically processed sand intended for a specific purpose. Scooping up sand, even from a freshwater river, can contain any manner of things you do not want to mess around with. Not just calcium compounds but also biologicals and toxins.

You may enjoy this site which shows several microscopic photos taken of sand samples from some very different locations. Once you see these you'll realize that there is no way to know what you are getting from your particular beach without analysis and mechanical sorting. There are many other sand collecting sites out there with microscopic pics, enjoy.

http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artjun01/clsand.html

[fishgurl]

playsand is around 5$ around here too. i found mine at lowes. most home & garden places have it in stock. our walmart even carries it at this time of year.

[a&j_tanks]

i got play sand for 3 bucks at lowes

50lb bag

[Star_Rider]

We use Aragonite sand ..aka.- oolitic
avoid crushed coral.
most marine tanks use sand that helps to maintain the buffers as we use a high pH 8.3-8.4. we also use ro/di to help control the water and control pH.
but coral may be a part of the sand not a bad thing if in the correct form as in sand like. crushed coral has a nasty habit of trapping detritus and may cause nitrates to spike very bad in a marine tank ans many live corals and fish cannot handle high nitrates.
you could possibly use the beach sand if you were using a biotope and native fish species.