Local beach sand for new tank substrate?

Howdy all ! I just went to Carmel,CA this weekend for my birthday. While I was there I found this beautiful patch of white sand along the beach. I thought hmm I would love to put this in a new tank I am going to be setting up this week or next. Now this is the pacific ocean and it's cold water of course. Is this a good idea or bad. It was wet sand from the break by the way. Let me know what you think.

 

I don't see why not. I would just rinse it with some fresh SW that you mix or buy to rinse it out before you put it into your tank.

 

I am just worried about pollutants. Don't want to nuke the sand though if I don't have to. Is there any beneficial bacteria from cold water? Sigh, Tangster paging doctor Tangster.:LolLolLol

 

That's exactly why I would give it a good rinsing........because of the pollutants but maybe someone with more experiance can comment on this:-/

 

Most beach sand is high in Silicates, and can creat an endless aglae bloom. Of corse you can put some in a bucket of water for a week and test.

 

I'd bleach it myself , But it would be better to use a good grade aragonite sand rather then just beach sand , But the beach will provide bottom cover but will add little benefits to the systems well being . Not much fauna or bacteria in there that would do you much good if its a cold water beach . I set up a bunch of tanks with sand from outer Banks of N.C and back Bay of Va . It worked

 

Well Thanks for all the replies. I will probably just stick to my orginal plans and go with the aragonite then. Thanks again for all the advice.

 

Hey bud, info on the tank you're setting up...or is it still a secret???

 

Thats what I'd suggest.. If it severs no function or purpose I never add it from sand to animals .