Adding live sand??

[Aldente 2011]

Thinking of adding live sand to my tank. Any recommendations on type of sand or were to purchase or not purchase it from?( Reef tank)

 

[Mike M]

While not live, I like Tropic Eden Reeflakes and you can seed it with a cup of live sand.

 

[denierlexiese]

this is what I use. Seems to work out well.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/fiji-pink-arag-alive-live-reef-sand-1.html

 

[Aldente 2011]

Thanks for the input

 

[ss95003]

If your tank is already running and cycled i woukd not add live sand. If your tank is not cycled then you can. But imo live sand is a waste of money. I would do a dry sand and I also like and use reeflakes but there is only one us supplier and they do not always have it in stock.

 

[denierlexiese]

@ss95003 wrote:

What do you mean by dry sand? Can you provide a link to some?

 

[Mike R]

@denierlexiese wrote:

What do you mean by dry sand? Can you provide a link to some?"]


Live sand is considered live because it is packaged with saltwater and is "supposed" to contain live beneficial nitrifying bacteria. You pay a lot for this kind of sand. Dry sand is just that, dry. It is packaged dry.
You pay for both by the pound, so with live sand, a lot of the weight is from the water so you get less sand. I would just but a good quality name aragonite dry sand, rinse it really really well, and then seed it with a cup of live sand from another members tank.

 

[ss95003]

Mike R nailed it. To me seeding is not really needed but not going to hurt anything. Eventually it will be "live" sand.

 

[denierlexiese]

@ss95003 wrote:

What's the technique for risining the sand without getting it all down the kitchen sink? Is it ok to rinse in tap water?

 

[pjracer]

I don't rinse my sand. Once it's in the tank it's in their. When I do my water changes I will. Vacuum small sections of it. But when I had to clean the sand I would use a Rubbermaid 30 gallon storage container and put 20 to 30 pounds in it with running water outside and stir. All the contaminates will float and go brim stinky brown to clear. Clean.

I would add dry sand too. You can find it at any fish store or Petco.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ss95003]

Just buckets and rinse. It's a pain in the A. Tropic Eden sand sold by premium aquatics actually comes really clean. I would put it a running tank with out rinsing. But that's me others will say rinse. It cost a little more but nothing is worse they trying to wash sand. Also if adding to a running tank use a piece of PVC pipe and funnel and you can direct exactly where it goes.