Tank Substrate

[jessicajersey]

hi,
this might seem like a stupid question, just wondered what would happen if you used beach sand as aquarium substrate.

 

[samyboy]

i suppose it depends on what rubbish gets washed up onto your beaches ..... can you boil sand?

 

[jessicajersey]

yeah i spose you never know what could be in it, our beaches are really nice and clean here tho. Yeah i spose if you boiled it that would get rid of anything, what about the salt content?

 

[Torrean]

salt is an issue. Other concerns include pollution (a big issue) and buffering capacity. In other words beach sand will probably raise your PH quite a bit... I just would not use it. If you want sand go to the hardware store and buy silver sand. Read the bag carefully and make sure it doesn't say anything about not being safe for aquariums. You can get 50lbs for around $3. Be sure to rinse very very very well. It's not absolutely necessary to rinse until you can't stand rinseing anymore but I don't like looking at muddy water for three days.