Live Sand from beach?

[polar1]

Has any one ever used sand from the beach? I just relocated to S. Miami and key Largo is only 25 min. away. I am presently cycling my 125 and thought this would be a cheap option for a 100% LSB.
Would the sand right off the beach(say in 3' of water) be the same as sand in close proximity to a reef?
If this is advisable, should I take any precautions to screen out any unwanted critters?

 

[DaktariEd]

I don't live in Florida...far from it in fact...but I think there is a ban on removing anything from Florida's waters...hopefully others will chime in here...

Ed

 

[olgakurt]

There is not a ban on removing everything-some things are banned and there are collection laws for the rest. I collected on the Gulf Coast. I am not familiar with the key area, but know there are many protected areas from Miami southward.
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[polar1]

The only restrictions I know of are on corals, turtles, and under size / out of season fish. I'll check with the Fl. fish and wildlife dept.
Unless I pull up with a back hoe and dump truck; I dont think any ranger would have a problem with 2 5gal. buckets of sand.

 

[aquaguy]

I don't see any problem, can you take a third bucket for me (just kidding)

, actually I'm going to Miami in 20 more days !!!! I'm so excited.

Good luck

 

[olgakurt]

Most areas have atleast some ordinances on sand removal (if it is not covered over State Federal protected areas and collection laws) as lots of money goes into beach renourishment.

If you choose to collect, make sure you know the collection laws. Usually you need a saltwater fishing license if you are doing anything more than wading.
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[Anonymous]

I don't know of any restrictions however one thing you might want to think about is contamination. All of the crud(technical term) that is in the ocean gets washed into shore as natures own filter of sorts. The sand that is close to shore is inundated with the stuff( another technical term) that gets filtered out of the water. One option might be to rent a boat and go out a little ways away from shore to get some. Another thought is parasites that you migth bring into your tank from the ocean. I live on teh west coast and I use ocean water for top offs on occasion, but I have my buddy with sail go out 5 miles to get the water.

 

[polar1]

I can borrow my friends boat and dive off key Biscane for some sand close to a reef. Or,if there is no difference in life, gather it in a few of feet of water right off the beach. Any sugestions.

 

[Powder Blue]

How about the beaches off panama city Florida? They have artificial reefs there and I can get on a boat to Shell Island, etc to collect stuff. will it be the same kind of sand?

 

[Anonymous]

You can not remove anything within 300 feet of the reefs. There are areas you can collect from, do no get caught removing anything from John Pennicamp state park. The whole east side of Key Largo is a reserve, no collecting for 5 miles off shore. Not sure about the bay side.