Sand at Ocean Shores, WA

Bainic · 04/03/2007, 09:41 PM

I'm going to Ocean Shores this week and have been wanting to put a DSB (deep sand bed) in my tank. Does anyone know what the sand at Ocean Shores is made up of? Calcium carbonate, silica, or something else?! Thanks!!!

IslandCrow · 04/03/2007, 09:53 PM

You're talking about a beach and not the name of a store, right? Assuming that's the case, you really don't want to use beach sand. It's going to cause you algae breakouts and many other questions. You can dredge sand from the ocean, but sand at the beach is full of all sorts of bacteria (not the good kind) and other nasties you just don't want in your tank.

reefshadow · 04/03/2007, 09:56 PM

Hey, Bainic-

Most likely it is composed primarily of silica, schist, mica, quartz in varying ratios. FWIW, I would not use sand from any shoreline in Washington unless it is rinsed very well prior to use due to industrial pollutants, agricultural runoff and gas/oil/diesel contamination.

Much easier in the long run to buy silica sand at the hardware store, you should be able to get Quickrete medium grade industrial silica sand at Lowes, it comes in a 100 lb. green and brown paper bag, very white fine sand. I've been using it for years, no problem as have many others on the board.

Bambalam · 04/03/2007, 10:26 PM

Sand is one of the cheaper things you'll need in your tank, IMO. From playsand to Southdown, there are lots of choices (and opinions), but using beach sand wouldn't be my choice.

04/03/2007, 09:41 PM	#1
Bainic Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Port Orchard, WA Posts: 72	Sand at Ocean Shores, WA I'm going to Ocean Shores this week and have been wanting to put a DSB (deep sand bed) in my tank. Does anyone know what the sand at Ocean Shores is made up of? Calcium carbonate, silica, or something else?! Thanks!!! __________________ If my wife asks, it only cost $20!! Current Tank Info: 55g 2ocellaris, 1maroon, 1goby, 1yellow tang, 3chromis, sand sifting star

04/03/2007, 09:53 PM	#2
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	You're talking about a beach and not the name of a store, right? Assuming that's the case, you really don't want to use beach sand. It's going to cause you algae breakouts and many other questions. You can dredge sand from the ocean, but sand at the beach is full of all sorts of bacteria (not the good kind) and other nasties you just don't want in your tank. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

04/03/2007, 09:56 PM	#3
reefshadow Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Central Washington Posts: 1,786	Hey, Bainic- Most likely it is composed primarily of silica, schist, mica, quartz in varying ratios. FWIW, I would not use sand from any shoreline in Washington unless it is rinsed very well prior to use due to industrial pollutants, agricultural runoff and gas/oil/diesel contamination. Much easier in the long run to buy silica sand at the hardware store, you should be able to get Quickrete medium grade industrial silica sand at Lowes, it comes in a 100 lb. green and brown paper bag, very white fine sand. I've been using it for years, no problem as have many others on the board. __________________ All Your Coral Are Belong To Us Current Tank Info: 30 Deep Blue shallow mixed rimless, MP10, Ecoxotic LED's, SCA 301 skimmer.

04/03/2007, 10:26 PM	#4
Bambalam Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: OH Posts: 688	Sand is one of the cheaper things you'll need in your tank, IMO. From playsand to Southdown, there are lots of choices (and opinions), but using beach sand wouldn't be my choice.