Sand from the coast?

[Plan>B]

Would any of you use sand from the coast around there for a reef tank?

 

[returnofsid]

Wouldn't even think of it. It's not aragonite based, and would be totally inappropriate for a reef tank.

 

[tike]

^ +1! I agree with Sid!

 

[trido]

^ +1! I agree with Sid!

+2....................

 

[scottmdebord]

If its not arginite why is that not okay

 

[akunochi]

What about sand from a reef???? ohhhh clever lol

 

[returnofsid]

If its not arginite why is that not okay

You'll find that it's higher in silicates, which will lead to all kinds of algae problems.

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

Main reason I wouldn't is because you have no idea what contaminants (chemical, biological, etc) are in it.

 

[FreakinReefin]

You'll find that it's higher in silicates, which will lead to all kinds of algae problems.

If I remember right(and it's very possible I couldn't be) tropical "sand" is actually higher in silicate and rhyolite than the sand from our beaches. This is either correct or it's the other way around...been a while since geology in college. But I believe that is why magma is more common in tropical areas. In this part of the Pacific Rim we don't have pervasive magma to lava due to this fact...

 

[rrcg50]

contaminants would scare me

 

[dogfrog]

I see a few are worried about contaminants that could be found in beach sand. Have you ever been to a rock and sand pit? There is oil, grease, hydraulic fluid, diesel, and gas all over the ground from the equipment that is used to dig, move, and process the earth.