greend

Hello, I am new to this hobby and have done research for almost a year with anticipation of setting up my reef

If anyone here is from NY, can you tell me how bad would it be to get the water and sand for my aquarium from a NY beach?

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore greend!!!!!! I have moved your thread to the saltwater section as it will probably get more help from our salty members there.....Im not a SW person but goodluck !

greend

thank you

10gallonmadness

NY beach? I don't think it's safe. It's been so polluted over the the year that the toxins have probably settled in the soil. If you try it you might be releasing the same toxins into your aquarium.
I would just take a trip to pool company and by pool filter sand. That's good, cheap, and inexpensive sand. But if you want something more colorful and vibrant try and find it a LFS, however this comes at a price.

MizRamzi

What size tank are we talking about? It would be safer to buy your sand from the LFS. Wheather it's from one of their tanks or the kind you can get in 10/20lb bags. It's cycled and seeded already. Then you can ask your LFS for some starter water from one of their tanks also. You could also go half/half with this option also.
Have fun setting up your new tank!!

Oil_Fan

Another option is Craigslist.org. You'll find people getting out of the hobby there and selling their stuff usually for less than 50% of retail.