beach sand?

Discussion in 'Sand' started by loneracer05, Jul 9, 2009.

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  1. loneracer05

    loneracer05 Clown Trigger

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    i decided to start a tank for critters and stuff i find at the beach seeing as im only afew min. away from a nice local beach. can i use beach sand or should i just stop tihnking so cheap and buy some live sand?

    i live in new york on long island i can get sand from either the long island sound side or the ocean side. any comments either way?
     
    Last edited: Jul 9, 2009
    loneracer05, Jul 9, 2009
    loneracer05, Jul 9, 2009
    #1

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  2. reefer Bob

    reefer Bob Montipora Digitata

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    Most beach sand is full of waste. I seen a thing on tv once about all the waste that gets in the sand and stays. I hate to even think whats in new york sand.
     
    reefer Bob, Jul 9, 2009
    reefer Bob, Jul 9, 2009
    #2
  3. loneracer05

    loneracer05 Clown Trigger

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    hmmm alright i suppose ill hafta buy some sand then
     
    loneracer05, Jul 9, 2009
    loneracer05, Jul 9, 2009
    #3
  4. trelane

    trelane Peppermint Shrimp

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    I think you COULD, but I would sterilize it (1:20 bleach overnight, and a very long water rinse), then bake it to a core temp past 212F. I'd also sift it to make sure there's nothing but sand.
     
    trelane, Jul 9, 2009
    trelane, Jul 9, 2009
    #4
  5. loneracer05

    loneracer05 Clown Trigger

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    its not nyc sand lol im pretty far from the city the sand visually looks clean but i do not know how clean it is past that . i can even get sand from afew private beaches if that would be better. but i tihnk im just gonna buy some
     
    loneracer05, Jul 10, 2009
    loneracer05, Jul 10, 2009
    #5
  6. jonjonwells

    jonjonwells Great Blue Whale

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    Your cheapest way would be to go with Trelane's idea. Get most of your sand and sterilize it locally, then get one bag of live sand. Best of both worlds.
     
    jonjonwells, Jul 10, 2009
    jonjonwells, Jul 10, 2009
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  7. loneracer05

    loneracer05 Clown Trigger

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    yeah that does sound lik a good idea
     
    loneracer05, Jul 10, 2009
    loneracer05, Jul 10, 2009
    #7
  8. Fujin

    Fujin Feather Duster

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    Or just buy sand at Lowe's. That very cheap too and you don't have to worry about pollution. It will eventually be "live" sand anyway.
     
    Fujin, Jul 10, 2009
    Fujin, Jul 10, 2009
    #8
  9. slowleak

    slowleak Feather Duster

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    if your using it to keep critters your getting from that sand in the first place, use it. obviously the critters are doing fine in it to begin with. i say go for it.
     
    slowleak, Jul 10, 2009
    slowleak, Jul 10, 2009
    #9
  10. loneracer05

    loneracer05 Clown Trigger

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    im gonna sterilize n seed it. the critters may b mantis food or tank mates at some point so gotta keep umm healthy
     
    loneracer05, Jul 11, 2009
    loneracer05, Jul 11, 2009
    #10
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