Long Island Beach, maybe a dumb question.

Like the title says, This may be a dumb question. This weekend I am going to a place called Long Island Beach. Ive lived in the Illinois, Georgia, Saint kitts and Nevis west indies for 2 years and have been snorkeling in Cancun but never on the East Coast until now. I guess what I'm trying to get at is.....Is there anything that I may be able to bring back or look for in the water that I can take home and add to my new tank. Gonna take a bucket along. Water from the ocean to add bacteria if nothing else??? Any suggestions or should I leave the bucket at home?

 

Depends. Flying or driving?

 

From my NJ exsperience (50+ years),there are many interesting critters that could be tempting but I can't recall finding anything that might be reef safe.I also doubt that any would do well long term in tropical temp.

 

+1. Lived here all my life and never found anything I would put in my tanks. I have caught few puffers off shore and have heard of triggers being caught locally as well. But most of year water temps well below 70 so most of our tanks too warm for any animals from jersey shore.

About LBI. Great spot. Very family oriented. Lots of mini golf and if you have younger kids Fantasy Island is a must. It is in Beach Haven. Barnegat Light house is also worth the trip just to sight see. Good fishing up by light house as well if into that.

 

Good point, thanks for the advice. I will be driving tomorrow night and spending Sunday. A co-worker has a rental property that hes letting us use! Looking forward to it. I will definitely check out those places you suggested. I almost forget why we were going, all I could think about was my tank when I heard the word beach/ocean lol.

 

Adding NSW won't add much of anything really, as there is not much free-floating bacteria in the water column. Most of it is attached to live rock or sand.

 

Unless you are miles off shore and taking it from down deep, don't add natural water. The beach is natures skimmer and the water there will be filthy. Not too mention what industrial pollutants, human waste, animal waste, etc that may get pumped in near by. Not worth it at all.
And without proper knowledge and permits, never take anything from the ocean here. One wrong thing may land you in prison. Harvesting for aquariums and pet trade is VERY heavily regulated.