beach sand for tank?

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eme1224
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beach sand for tank?

Post by eme1224 »

Im going to be upgrading to a larger tank by summertime (my gsps are growing like mad) and i would like to have a sandy bottom. My aunt and uncle live in Kona HI and i was wondering if i could use white sand from the beach over there in my tank (after i rinse it of course). They had sent me a few white coral skeletons, which the puffs love to bite at, and some shells from the beach, so my puffs are used to some "island flora". i just wondering if people use beach sand in tanks, or if that is too gross for the puffs. i definatley dont want to harm them, i've had them since they were little babies and i've become attatched to thier little puppy faces.
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PolishPuff
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Re: beach sand for tank?

Post by PolishPuff »

I've used river sand for my tanks with no problem.

I thing you should be fine. Just clean that sand well :D
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xrayjeeper83
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Re: beach sand for tank?

Post by xrayjeeper83 »

Id boil it to kill off any harmful stuff in the sand
RTR wrote:Fahakas do not have tank mates, they may have swimming food reserves.
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Pufferpunk
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Re: beach sand for tank?

Post by Pufferpunk »

+1 on boiling.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

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eme1224
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Re: beach sand for tank?

Post by eme1224 »

thanks guys!
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borgey
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Re: beach sand for tank?

Post by borgey »

Why don't you just got purchase white sand? It's not expensive at all and is without a doubt a lot more safe. Personally that's what I'd do.
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thrwnsprkz
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Re: beach sand for tank?

Post by thrwnsprkz »

Ive seen this asked numerous times but have yet to see an answer...
"how do you really clean/syphon sand without sucking it all up?"

Im looking to put a white sand substrate at the bottom of my new tank too
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Iliveinazoo
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Re: beach sand for tank?

Post by Iliveinazoo »

thrwnsprkz wrote:Ive seen this asked numerous times but have yet to see an answer...
"how do you really clean/syphon sand without sucking it all up?"

Im looking to put a white sand substrate at the bottom of my new tank too
You will suck a bit up but it won't be noticeable for a long time, my figure 8 tank has been running for close to 4 years and I've not had to top it up yet and won't need to do so for the forseeable future. to clear anaerobic spots you can stir the substrate with your fingers or other implement before water changing which means that you don't have to dig down to the bottom with your vacuum
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Pufferpunk
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Re: beach sand for tank?

Post by Pufferpunk »

Stir it up thoroughly & then siphon by skimming the detritus that has settled on top of the sand.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

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Sara0229
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Re: beach sand for tank?

Post by Sara0229 »

You can also bake sand to steralize it.
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