Live Sand VS. Sand I take from the Ocean

I'm preparing to setup another tank today. I live very close to the ocean here in Virginia and had the idea to fetch some sand from the local beach. The first tank I purchased live sand which is quite expensive ($25 per 20lbs). Grabbing sand from the beach, is this a "no-no," or nearly just as good? I'd rather not pay for sand when I can fetch some close by. Thanks!

 

well "live sand" in a bag is mostly dead anyways, you are better off just getting the plain ole dry argagonite and getting live rock from the LFS

 

oolite and aragonite are different from "beach sand" unless you are in Hawaii or the Bahamas..

 

The problem with collecting your own from the beach are contaminants! You have no clue whats in it and it is possible to get some nasty critters and/or bacterial infections.

Think a few years back where the Chesapeake bay fisherman were catching fish with lesions and also getting lesions on their own arms that were exposed to the water - that was due to a water born bacterial infection. feel like adding something like that to your tank?

I used dry sand from here...
40Lb Bahama Aragonite sand <br>(shipping included)<br>(*All sand ships USPS priority mail*) - BAS40

 

In other words, purchasing this "live sand" is a hoax and a waste of money?

 

bingo =) but don't get me wrong there could be live bacteria in there it just isn't worth the money for the amount and condition they will be in. another option is just ask your LFS for a cup of live sand from one of their DTs that will seed your sand bed, also if you purchase live rock the colonies from the rocks will be more than sufficient to get your cycle

 

I currently have a 40 breeder setup. So, I could take a little sand from there? I'm setting up a 92 corner today. I'm thinking about having one for community and the other for aggressive.

 

Great, thanks for the link. What about their "dry" rock? Once it's mixed with good bacterias, it's then considered "live?"

 

yes, 80% of the rock in my tank came from the same place, it's also dry so there is no hitchhikers or dead/dying organic matter, just a quick rinse to clean off the shipping dust and into the tank it goes. Add a small piece of live rock borrowed from your established tank for a week or 2 to seed the rock and your set, it will all be considered live in short order.

 

I heard the bacteria can be bottle purchased, is that correct?