kickbackman59

I have an extra 10 gallon tank sitting around and wanted to test out a "from scratch" saltwater tank.
Is it possible to use ocean water and sand from the ocean in this tank?
if so, what else do I need? I don't really want fish at the moment. Just plants, coral, etc.

Is all this possible?

I am a poor college student looking to gain knowledge by trying things out.

fishrule101

Well a ten would bring you lots of challenges but its possable. I think if your getting natural water it haves to be like 10 or something like that miles away from teh shore becuase of water pollution. The sand can be polluted and have unwated things.

kickbackman59

That makes sense about the pollutants.

Is it possible to clean the sand from the beach? If so how? and If not, what is the cheapest sand to use instead?

Shawnie

im no SW expert nor a FW for that matter, but you dont want to use water for either sw or fw from the outside just as you wouldnt want to put your tank fish back in the wild....you would be introducing bacteria and other things to fish that arent use to being in the wild or visa versa.....there are alot of sw ppl here who im sure will help you out with this but wanted to wish you well on your new adventure

fishrule101

I used criba sand it it only costs like $17.

kickbackman59

Where did you buy it at?

fishrule101

Well I ordered all my stuff from drsfostersmith.com, but I'm sure Petco and Petsmart have it.

defcon11

Instant Ocean is what I have been using for years, I consider it the industry standard. As far as using water and sand from the beach I would urge against it. It is possible, but you are making things more challenging for yourself. When using things directly from the ocean you are getting a lot of things that you didn't count, and thusly things that may end up "ruining" your tank. Instant Ocean is pretty inexpensive. A 15 pound bag goes for around $15-$20, that brand is easily purchased online or at your LFS/corporate pet store, and for a 10 gal tank, that would last a looooooong time. Hope this helped and good luck in the hobby.

au01st

I guess it would depend on where you got your water and sand. I went diving in Puerto Rico and we weren't 200ft off shore. Aren't most saltwater fish caught and not raised? I would think if you lived at the beach and had a constant supply of water for water changes and what not, it would be okay.

defcon11

I just prefer to control everything that goes into my tank, or at least I try to.