Where? Utah sand and rock!
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: DIY
Forum Description: Do it Yourself
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40658
Printed Date: July 31 2026 at 2:26am
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Topic: Where? Utah sand and rock!
Posted By: mr.magoo
Subject: Where? Utah sand and rock!
Date Posted: April 29 2010 at 8:50pm
| Where to go to go to get Utah rock and sand ? I know it is some where out by the great salt lake out off of I-80 I would like to use this in my tank the rock and sand. I am just looking for some directions out there. Or if anyone has some thier willing to part with? |
Replies:
Posted By: sterling18
Date Posted: April 29 2010 at 8:57pm
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http://geology.utah.gov/utahgeo/rockmineral/collecting/oolitic.htm - http://geology.utah.gov/utahgeo/rockmineral/collecting/oolitic.htm Bring home more than you would need. If you need one bucket, bring home two. |
Posted By: Deluxe247
Date Posted: April 30 2010 at 12:54am
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Maybe we ought to get some folks and plan a trip out to Stansbury Island soon for a sand and rock run. I'd be game!
------------- 90G Mixed Reef |
Posted By: Lewy
Date Posted: April 30 2010 at 9:58am
| Does the BLM have a problem with harvesting the sand? |
Posted By: Deluxe247
Date Posted: April 30 2010 at 10:04am
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Nope. As a taxpayer, you own BLM land. You just have to make sure you don't trespass onto private land, for which there is an abundance of signage. ------------- 90G Mixed Reef |
Posted By: johnd651
Date Posted: April 30 2010 at 10:18am
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random question... if you collect rock and sand, do you also collect brine shrimp???
------------- -John 55 Gal~Empty 10 Gal~SW Home Plus 1000+ gallons in multiple tanks at the U. About 1.5 buckets of salt a week. |
Posted By: mr.magoo
Date Posted: April 30 2010 at 10:43am
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So I am guessing that you are able to get the rock at the same place as the sand?
And is there any thing you need to do to the sand and rock when you get it home like cure it ect. ? If so what is the process for doing these things before putting it in your tank? |
Posted By: Will Spencer
Date Posted: April 30 2010 at 11:04am
Some do, but you have to find a different location. I have collected BS at the Marina before. You also have to check back at the lake every so often to see how many there are. They tend to be around in large numbers every couple weeks or so. It seems that when a hatch occurs you can net out thousands at a time, but between hatches you could spend a ton of time getting just a few. |
johnd651 wrote:Posted By: Deluxe247
Date Posted: April 30 2010 at 11:05am
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You generally don't get brine shrimp with the sand since you collect it from dry sand dunes, but you do of course have to wash the sand. As for curing the rock, it's recommended to wash it with high-pressure spray (like at a car wash - without the soap of course) to dislodge any dirt or organic matter. After that you can treat it like any other dead rock. As for where to find good rock, hopefully someone else will have a suggestion. My one trip last year wasn't tremendously fruitful. ------------- 90G Mixed Reef |
Posted By: Will Spencer
Date Posted: April 30 2010 at 11:12am
In some areas you can find them together. It's been a long time since I've collected either, but when I went the locations we collected rock were a couple miles from the location we collected the sand. They were both on Stansbury Island though.
Most people like to wash the rock with a power washer. Some even go to the car wash and use their power washer. Just be sure you DO NOT use soap when washing them at the car wash. If you plan to set up a new tank with this rock you will want to also add some "Live" rock to help seed it. In my experience LBTR is very good stuff, but without some life to jump start it, it will take a very long time indeed to really "liven up". As for the sand I like to wash about half a 5 gallon bucket at a time. Just fill the bucket and rinse and rinse and rinse until the water runs clear. Otherwise you'll have so much dust in your tank that it takes forever to settle. |
Posted By: Brandon1985
Date Posted: May 04 2010 at 4:12am
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mr.magoo No one is going too tell u where PM ME ad ill tell u how to get there I went out there last year It took me 3 months before someone took me out there and showed me lol so just PM ME and ill tell u.!! ------------- 24G JBJ Nano with LEDS |
Posted By: sterling18
Date Posted: May 04 2010 at 10:23am
I left him a link with specific directions from BLM on where it's ok to collect the sand.
I went out two weeks ago with those directions and dug up two buckets.
|
Posted By: johnd651
Date Posted: May 04 2010 at 1:18pm
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how good is this rock and sand? is it dense? or light?
lots of holes or solid? ------------- -John 55 Gal~Empty 10 Gal~SW Home Plus 1000+ gallons in multiple tanks at the U. About 1.5 buckets of salt a week. |
Posted By: Lewy
Date Posted: May 04 2010 at 1:40pm
And you didn't invite any of us....
 I'm kidding I couldn't have gone any way.
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Posted By: sterling18
Date Posted: May 04 2010 at 2:13pm
I was on the reef tour and passed by.
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Posted By: Lewy
Date Posted: May 04 2010 at 2:21pm
| Do you really have to dig or is it more of a skim the top type of process? |
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: May 04 2010 at 7:01pm
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You have to dig down about 6" before you hit the really good stuff. As for the rock most times it requires a sledge hammer or pick and some elbow grease. Most of the rock is fairly dense so it is best used for base rock IMO ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: sterling18
Date Posted: May 04 2010 at 7:36pm
| It's pretty cool that you can say you harvested that sand that's in your tank. |
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: May 04 2010 at 8:36pm
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I completely agree. I have used Utah sand in several refugiums, as well as in my 10 gallon Frogfish tank. DIY is really an awesome part of the hobby. ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: May 04 2010 at 11:42pm
 At the place I collect sand it's all good, even at the surface. And the Utah Rock I collect is more porous and better looking than most LR. It's primo stuff. Let me know if you want some.
For those of you that are just learning about this, the thread linked here will be very informative. It answers all the questions posted above. http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 - http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
|
Posted By: sterling18
Date Posted: May 04 2010 at 11:47pm
Watch it Mark, don't say that too loud. You might offend those that believe we shouldn't be in the hobby if we can't afford to spend the money on supplies. |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: May 05 2010 at 2:05am
 From an early age, I was collecting and growing animals and plants in bowls on my porch and in my bedroom window. No need to be offended.Oh, and "Yes" for many years we have collected live Brine Shrimp from the GSL. It's wonderful and much more nutritious than many of the frozen foods out there.
The Utah Rock that I collect is less dense than most LR. Feel free to call and come check it out. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
|
Posted By: johnd651
Date Posted: May 05 2010 at 7:08am
you will most likely be hearing from me soon shrimp!!!! rock!!!! sand!!!! just need to get to utah first ------------- -John 55 Gal~Empty 10 Gal~SW Home Plus 1000+ gallons in multiple tanks at the U. About 1.5 buckets of salt a week. |
Posted By: Lewy
Date Posted: May 05 2010 at 11:57am
Amen brother. I got it because I follow and belive in the Scout Law. "A scout is ...Thrifty..."
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Posted By: jaschall
Date Posted: May 05 2010 at 10:12pm
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Posted By: johnd651
Date Posted: June 06 2010 at 3:16pm
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Hey all... i was thinking about heading out there to collect rock in the next week or two... anyone else? ------------- -John 55 Gal~Empty 10 Gal~SW Home Plus 1000+ gallons in multiple tanks at the U. About 1.5 buckets of salt a week. |
Posted By: mr.magoo
Date Posted: June 07 2010 at 6:48pm
| when you thinking of going? |
Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: June 07 2010 at 7:31pm
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Yes I am offended! I am a realist sorry but thank you!
Why doesn't someone really know where you can pick this crap up?
If you do, why not let the people know where it is? Mark ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: June 07 2010 at 7:45pm
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I know a few places you can go, the easiest to find rock is at the lakeside exit. Turn right off of the exit, and then left onto the frontage road. About 100 yards up the road you'll see a dirt road that heads up a hillside, go up this and park on top. Then look around on the outcroppings on the top and side of the hill, you'll see the tufa rock as the top layer over the bedrock. (You'll need a 4x4 to get here) There is also rock on Stansbury Island but I have yet to check out the location myself. For Utah Sand there are a couple options: 1- Exit I80 at the second Grantsville Exit, the turn right, you'll see a frontage road that turns to packed dirt, follow this. It should take you between the salt collection ponds and will then head out to Stansbury Island. Keep going straight until you come to a camping area sign, turn right and make your way onto the dunes. Dig down a few inches until you hit the good stuff. 2- OR you can head further around the Island to the shore of the GSL and harvest your sand from there. *Note that you should screen and wash the sand until the water is clear, and the rock will need to be pressure washed at the carwash until no dirt comes out of it.
------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: James
Date Posted: June 07 2010 at 8:07pm
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I may be interested in going as well.
------------- 55g display with 55g sump/refug 4 bulb T5HO light tank established 8/6/10 |
Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: June 07 2010 at 8:12pm
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Thanks Steve. It's about time someone said where it is. ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: June 07 2010 at 8:23pm
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No problem, I also stumbled onto a new deposit in Tooele, it is on private land but I have access. As soon as I verify it is LBTR then I'll post where to find it and can take people up to get it. ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: sterling18
Date Posted: June 07 2010 at 9:10pm
He already did. Burt even tacked the thread on top. Secrets of an affordable reef aquariumhttp://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 - http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 There are maps on this thread, pictures, and driving directions. |
Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: June 07 2010 at 9:14pm
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Damn I wish I had ignore! ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Posted By: sterling18
Date Posted: June 07 2010 at 9:18pm
Don't we all sunshine. |
Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: June 07 2010 at 9:19pm
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I won't respond to your post and you do the same for me! PLEASE!!! ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Posted By: sterling18
Date Posted: June 07 2010 at 9:37pm
 |
Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: June 07 2010 at 9:39pm
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Take good care of your Nano ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Posted By: sterling18
Date Posted: June 07 2010 at 9:44pm
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I'll try, smaller tanks has it's own challenges, it's not as forgiving as larger tanks when it comes to screw ups. It means a lot getting well wishes from an old reefer like yourself. |
Posted By: sterling18
Date Posted: June 07 2010 at 9:57pm
| And back on topic, when you wash the LBTR at the car wash, try to flush the hose from all the soap before taking it to your rock. The last person might have had it on the rinse cycle or the wax cycle. You don't want to take any chances. |
Posted By: SGH360
Date Posted: June 08 2010 at 12:29pm
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Hey guys Im planning to go there tomorrow with capnmorgan directions.
If anyone wants to come.
|
Posted By: johnd651
Date Posted: June 08 2010 at 12:37pm
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im going on sunday...or next saturday or sunday if anyone wants to come, and you prefer one of the days...let me know ------------- -John 55 Gal~Empty 10 Gal~SW Home Plus 1000+ gallons in multiple tanks at the U. About 1.5 buckets of salt a week. |
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: June 08 2010 at 2:15pm
Feel free to call me if you get lost my cell # is in my signature. (I work nights, so I may not answer if it's before noon) 
Also you'll need shovels, sledgehammer and buckets! ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |