Paleofish

Would it be possible to use beach sand for a SW tank? And to keep from bringing bad bugs to the tank Bleach it or Boil it a hour or so?

Chief_waterchanger

I don't see why it wouldn't be good.

If you bleach it make sure to rinse it with dechlorinated water to break down the chlorine in the bleach.

If you boil it be sure to stir periodically for best results.

Paleofish

OK thanks a lot now I don't have to buy sand

defcon11

I don't know if bleaching sand would be the best way to do. It would be the fastest but is that always the best? I would suggest getting the sand and put it in your tank with no rocks or fish and leave it alone. Let the tank sit for a couple of weeks and just observe during both the night and day. If there is anything it should emerge from the sand at night and you can identify it. If there are parasites (ICH) the lack of fish for several weeks will cause it to go through its life cycle and die.

Jess

Would sand from the beach be considered live sand? Isn't this a good thing? Just curious.

nemo addict

i wouldnt use imo it could contain anything had any oil spills locally with stuff being dumped in to the coastlines its bound to end up on the beach if you do try it post up and let us know how it goes

Oil_Fan

Depends. It may not start out as live sand depending on where you dug i up from. Eventually it would turn into live sand anyways as bacteria forms on it. Just as base rock will turn into live rock.

But I would agree about taking precautions such as boiling to kill anything bad on it. I just bought the stuff from my LFS since I'm a good 6 or 7 hours away from the ocean.