Puget Sound Sand for a 100Gal Saltwater Aquarium

[seatacsupport]

I just fired up the old 100 gallon aquarium after a move 6 months ago. I was shipping from out of state, so, weight was a consideration and I decided to leave the crushed coral behind. I new when I set the tank up again I wanted the substrate to be sand, only, I wanted a dark color sand. So, I decided to use about 100lbs of the Puget Sound’s finest, I was able to obtain the look that I wanted. As of yet, I do not have anything in the tank except 100 gallons of RO water, salt, and the sand. I figured I would cycle the tank for about 2 - 3 weeks and monitor the water etc.etc.etc.. So far, my PH seems to be doing fine. My question is will this change ? Has anyone tried this before.

Thanks in advance for your input.

James

 

[Alice]

Was this sand you collected yourself or was it bagged sand?

 

[seatacsupport]

I collected myself. In-fact that was a funny "back fragging" story for another time.

RE: $ - yes, I know the feeling....

 

[Ray Pollett]

The sound is so poluted I would not use the sand collected from it. Could take years before it stops releasing gunk into the tank that kills aniimals.

I use play sand from lowe's or home depot.

Ray

 

[Alice]

I've got to agree with Ray. Sand you collect yourself, from almost any beach in this country, is going to be high in pollutants - oil, gasoline, heavy metals..not too mention just bits of organic matter that are going to rot in the tank.

I think you may be in for trouble down the road.

 

[seatacsupport]

Thanks for all of your feedback, well... any thoughts on what to do now? Other than drain all 100 gallons, remove all of the sand, and start all over again ?

Is there a way to test for "oil, gasoline, heavy metals?"

 

[B-Random]

I think if your sand is flamable you might have a problem!

 

[c0yote]

You know it's bad when your tank fails the DMV's emissions test