http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic121127.aspx
" It depends. Bagged live sand is a waste of money. If you can get freshly collected live sand, it may be a useful product. However, sand tends to act as a grinding mill for any organisms within it if it is disturbed. So, during shipping the sand will often grind up the animals in it. Rather than trying to purchase live sand and set up an "instant sand bed", it is far better to set up a pristine sand bed, add to it animals purchased separately, feed that bed and let it develop. "
" It depends. Bagged live sand is a waste of money. If you can get freshly collected live sand, it may be a useful product. However, sand tends to act as a grinding mill for any organisms within it if it is disturbed. So, during shipping the sand will often grind up the animals in it. Rather than trying to purchase live sand and set up an "instant sand bed", it is far better to set up a pristine sand bed, add to it animals purchased separately, feed that bed and let it develop. "