Beach sand

hey guys i was just wondering if it is at all possible to use sand collected from a beach in my intended setup, as it is going to be a ray tank the sand would be perfect. the location i am sourcing has to be one of the most pristine bits of coastline in australia, and the sands are extremely white. i have checked with the local marine park and collecting of sand for an aquarium is ok. but to use or not to use is my question. i have a pic to show a sample of the sand.

 

just to add the sand will be collected from the water not the beach

 

You can. There is differing opinions on this topic. The long and short of it boils down to quartz and silicates. People say that beach sand is high in silicates and you will be heading for an algae outbreak - I am not one of those people.

Sand from the water is probably going to have a lot of dirt in it tho - no? If it were me I would pull it from the water and rince it several times, that is if I were hell bent on using this sand -- cause it if were really me I would buy the sand

keep us posted !

 

i have tried buying the sand but i cant find anythign as fine and white as this, i have been under the water and taken a bucket full before to test for tds and stuff but it all comes up ok and it didnt seem to have any dirt but saying that i only dug in about 6 inches. i will definately post pics and more info as the build comes along, im just waiting on the glass at the moment it has been ordered. they said delivery would be 1-2 weeks and then the fun begins.

 

Go for it - I have spoken with people who used the dry sand from their local beach without issue.

 

You're asking for trouble by using it. There are all sorts of stuff living in it that you don't have a clue what they are - bacteria, small animals, etc...Anyone being capable of wiping out your tank. Also most of the pollution ends up getting washed ashore & right into the sand. Unless you plan on adequately rinsing it as well as baking it I wouldn't do it.

 

Here, read up over there on the subject:

LSFAQs2

people have done this in the past, might as well learn from their experiance and draw your own conclusions.

 

thanks for all the responses guy, the idea of this sand is purely aesthetics i do not require live sand or anythign and if i do collect this particular sand i intend to wash it very thouroughly.

 

Crimson has it right. Worked for me, but care depends on a number of factors. WWM is a great source.