kd123 Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 During an expedition north of Chch I gathered a couple of buckets of dry river sand from the Amberley River. As i was driving away i noticed a sign saying that there may be dydimo in the river. Is this sand safe to use as substrata in an aquarium? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 You could always boil it and hope that Ecan don't read this post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cichlid7 Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 boil it first to be safe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 Didymo is killed when completely dried. Much easier and cheaper than boiling! It needs to be left dry for 48hours *after* it completely dried. So if you leave it in the sun for a day and it is dry throughout, leave it for another two days before using. With heat: Hot water: soak for at least one minute in very hot water kept above 60 °C (hotter than most tap water) or for at least 20 minutes in hot water kept above 45 °C (uncomfortable to touch). (copied off the MAF site) I would be very interested to see photos of your tank after you have set it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 Isn't it illegal to take sand from beaches and rivers, making this thread a breach of the guidelines? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kd123 Posted January 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 i know it is from beaches ... and would like to know if it is from rivers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 Yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kd123 Posted January 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 What are the reasons it is illegal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 I must be stealing salt water all the time to raise my brine shrimp in then? will I change.... no Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 You would have to ask the Queen that as it is her chain. You can buy the same stuff from your local nursery and hopefully they have a permit to take it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 Barrie---I have noted your name Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kd123 Posted January 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 Hey you had better not mention queens and chains on this thread or i am going to pulled over the coals for being both illegal and pornographic... And here i was thinking it was some really important thing like it has an affect on global warming or erosion or all the dangerous chemicals probably inhabiting the sand from the Dairy farm run offs and pasture feeding..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 The Regional Council would like to get rid of quarries and extract gravel and sand from the Wiamakariri because it contually builds up with gravel but it is still not legal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 I must be stealing salt water all the time to raise my brine shrimp in then? will I change.... no More illegal goings on I'm surprised this thread is still here! Good heavens, don't tell me The Guidelines aren't being followed to the letter.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 More illegal goings on I'm surprised this thread is still here! Good heavens, don't tell me The Guidelines aren't being followed to the letter.... Have you finished your stirring yet? BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU!!!!! mod wok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted January 31, 2009 Report Share Posted January 31, 2009 :oops: yeah I'm done. And to answer the OP's question (just to show I'm not solely a troublemaker), I would say it would be safe to use if thoroughly washed. Depending on the quantity you could pour boiling water through it just to be on the safe side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted January 31, 2009 Report Share Posted January 31, 2009 :oops: yeah I'm done. And to answer the OP's question (just to show I'm not solely a troublemaker), I would say it would be safe to use if thoroughly washed. Depending on the quantity you could pour boiling water through it just to be on the safe side. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
land_lubber Posted January 31, 2009 Report Share Posted January 31, 2009 Hey you had better not mention queens and chains on this thread or i am going to pulled over the coals for being both illegal and pornographic... And here i was thinking it was some really important thing like it has an affect on global warming or erosion or all the dangerous chemicals probably inhabiting the sand from the Dairy farm run offs and pasture feeding..... Global warming is a myth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinsonMassif Posted January 31, 2009 Report Share Posted January 31, 2009 Global warming is a myth Sure it is. The glaciers are all melting so fast because it's getting colder. OP I will admit I used river stuff without drying enough and ended up with a tank of Didymo. Nasty stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella Posted January 31, 2009 Report Share Posted January 31, 2009 Interesting to know that didymo does grow in aquaria. Thanks! In my native-fish-keeping book I have a segment reminding people to be careful of it, both transfering around the place and into a tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kd123 Posted January 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2009 Thanks for the replies.... i washed a few handfuls of the sand and it took almost an hour to get it so the water was clear.... I have now found a black limestone sand which i think i will use instead. So do i put the old sand in the avon? Just kidding will probably put it on the garden... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted January 31, 2009 Report Share Posted January 31, 2009 Just kidding will probably put it on the garden... Best idea if its got didymo, don't put it anywhere near a waterway of any sort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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