Sand From Beach?

saltwaterfanatic

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Hey,

Can i use sand that i get from the beach in florida in my tank after i wash it out? Also it is white sand.

Thanks, Saltwaterfanatic
 
Yeah you can do that. The best way to kill off bacteria in the sand is to fill the sand up in a bucket, then pour boiling water into the bucket. This will kill anything on the sand.

-FHM
 
Ok thats cool thanks but if i kill the bacteria with boiling water wont if i put it in my 35 gallon and take out the gravel c ause an ammonia spike because all the bacteria died by boiling it?
 
The bacteria that may be living in the sand are not the same bacteria you want in your tank! You need Autotrophic bacteria in your filter, and you get that by cycling a tank.

You want the sand as clean as it can be when you put it into your tank.

You should not have an ammonia spike if your tank is fully cycled.

-FHM
 
Okay good thank you. Also would it be ok to just take out my gravel I have in my tank right now and just replace it with sand right away? Or would that cause me to lose all my beneficial bacteria. i have an aquaclear 50 and a fluval 1 for my filters. Also how much bacteria is in the gravel? 1%? Thank you
Also my tank has been cycled for 5 months
 
99% of the bacteria colonize in the filter, where the remaining 1% are scattered among the substrate, decor and glass. Removing the gravel and putting in sand should not have any negative effects on your bacterial colony what so ever.

Freshwater is different than saltwater, where in a saltwater tank the bacteria colonize on the LR and what not, and in a freshwater tank the bacteria colonize in the filter.

-FHM
 
Also would it be ok to just take out my gravel I have in my tank right now and just replace it with sand right away? Or would that cause me to lose all my beneficial bacteria. i have an aquaclear 50 and a fluval 1 for my filters. Also how much bacteria is in the gravel? 1%? Thank you
Also my tank has been cycled for 5 months

it, may, cause a mini cycle. but that depends on how you treat your substrate. if you vac often, keeping it very clean. there is little chance it will happen. but if you vac, irregularly, bacteria can build up in the substrate. indeed some husband this resource, as part of their bio system.

so, PROBABLY NOT, but keep an eye out, if you are a bit short on vac time.
 

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