Is Beach sand good for aquariums?

[Tristan's 6000 Fish]

My friend and I shall be traveling to the great city of Tampa, Florida, this weekend. The purpose of our travel shall be to catch a few fish, of such can't be utterered as we are still researching what species would appease the eyes, for my new 300g. Saltwater aquarium. I have come to realize that I enjoy the feeling of beach sand upon my work worn feet. While I meditatively thought upon such wonderful things, my mind went to the thought of the beautiful white sand in my aquariums. The white sand, is a great sand. It's a resolute sand. You may even say it's the best sand.
While ponderously thinking upon such things, I wondered... If I bring a bucket of that white sand, that great sand *** NOT THE WET, SOGGY SAND, BUT THE DRY SAND NEARER THE THE BACK THAT'S ALWAYS DRY** home and rinse it, would'st it be fit for use in my aquariums?
I have meticulously scoured the All-knowing Inter-Web, and to no avail, found any answers regarding such a thought, in a way I found most helpful.
I have used play sand for my other aquariums but thought the white sand would look pleasent with the rock I have chosen for this specific project.


I utterly apologize in advance for any inconveniences or anything that may offend anyone. I in no way intend for this question to hurt anyone's feelings.
I spent an 1 hour and 20 something minutes refreshing my memory of the vocabulary words I learned in high school, in order to type out this message in a way as to not offend anyone in any way. I even decided to not bring politics into this message... yet.

 

[tlindsey]

fit for use in my aquariums?

It would be like collecting sand near a freshwater lake. The sand although dry may possibly harbor unwanted pathogens, parasites, or harmful critters.

 

[FINWIN]

Found this in three seconds. Basically what @tlindsey said.

Beach Sand in Your Aquarium: Dos and Don'ts - Aquariuman

 

[Ogertron3000]

I have used beach sand in my freshwater tanks with no issues, it takes a lot of rinsing to clean it up first.
I used the dry stuff too, my preference is mix in around 1/4 gravel and 3/4 sand and it looks pretty good IMO.
Some places you arent actually allowed to take it so be careful.

 

[TwoHedWlf]

Yep, I have with no issues at all. I collected stuff from below the water line, above the water line was way dustier and took forever to rinse clean.

 

[tlindsey]

Yep, I have with no issues at all. I collected stuff from below the water line, above the water line was way dustier and took forever to rinse clean.

The OP is setting up a saltwater aquarium but if rinsed with tap water first like you and @Ogertron3000 stated should be fine. I could have explained that a little better.

 

[ken31cay]

Just a quick point: the white sand here is made of dead coral and so also acts as a buffer. Not sure of the sand there but I would imagine its the same thing.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Could be great, i dont think it could be bad. One thing you should do is check local regulations about taking sand from beaches. You would be amazed at the penalties for taking sand from protected coastlines in some states. Some places they will literally imprison you.

 

[Ogertron3000]

The OP is setting up a saltwater aquarium but if rinsed with tap water first like you and @Ogertron3000 stated should be fine. I could have explained that a little better.

It might be different for saltwater, I really don’t know. Either way, cleaning it will take a long time. Years later I still get heaps of dust when I do a water change

 

[Sassafras]

Just a quick point: the white sand here is made of dead coral and so also acts as a buffer. Not sure of the sand there but I would imagine its the same thing.

Unfortunately, our sand on U.S. beaches is primarily silica, quartz-based sand. No buffering capacity as one would want for a marine tank.