In need of cheap live sand

bx3property · 06/15/2008, 07:34 AM

Anyone know where i can get some inexpensive live sand (yardright preferred)? I knew to the hobby and have a 180 gallon and spening $30 for a 20 lb bag is out of the question. I live in NJ. Any help would be appreciated

Aydee · 06/15/2008, 07:38 AM

I can't give an answer as I live in Australia. Furthermore, I live inland and it's impossible to get LS at all where I live.

But, questions to ask you..

How much LS did you need?

How urgently did you need it?

Finally, I'm assuming NJ = New Jersey (Again. Aussie thing. All those US acronym things). Is that inland? Are there any low-pollution beaches near you where you can scoop an esky (cooler) full of sand from?

AD

Denbf58 · 06/15/2008, 07:40 AM

you dont need all live sand you can get sand at lowes or home depot and seed with live sand the has to low silicatetype

shuguley · 06/15/2008, 08:44 AM

I'm new to the hobby like you, and I'm going with a 55 gallon because I did not want the cost of properly setting up anything larger right now. This is a very expensive hobby, and I chose not to go cheap on sand. Sand is very important for the filtration in your tank and you will have the sand for a long time. I know many people use the cheap sand from hardware stores, but I chose not to, I don't want to risk the lives of my inhabitants with sand that was designed for something else. You are already going to spend a ton of money if you do things right, so don't skimp on sand.

Like others said, you do not have to add live sand, but I would definitley add a quality aragonite sand from a company like Caribsea. Aragonite sand will eventuall become "live" if you seed it with a little live sand and/or live rock. You can get a 30 lb bag of such sand here for $23 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...21&pcatid=7321 They also have very reasonable shipping, I bought all my sand from them.

If the cost is too prohibitive on the sand, you will probably think the cost is too high on a lot of stuff, and maybe you should go with a smaller aquarium. Just my opinion after only 6 weeks of reading and researching the hobby.

crazedpuffer · 06/15/2008, 08:46 AM

Get pool filter sand from home depot, it's about 12 dollars for 50 pounds, then add LR, the LR will seed the sand making it live.

Sk8r · 06/15/2008, 09:02 AM

Crazed Puffer is right. I would recommend dry Caribsea Aragonite, medium grade, not the prettiest, but it stays out of your pipes, and aragonite is a good marine-hobby sand.

06/15/2008, 07:34 AM	#1
bx3property Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: 08060 Posts: 6	In need of cheap live sand Anyone know where i can get some inexpensive live sand (yardright preferred)? I knew to the hobby and have a 180 gallon and spening $30 for a 20 lb bag is out of the question. I live in NJ. Any help would be appreciated

06/15/2008, 07:40 AM	#3
Denbf58 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: selden N.Y. Posts: 885	you dont need all live sand you can get sand at lowes or home depot and seed with live sand the has to low silicatetype __________________ Life is good Current Tank Info: 75gal reef ready koralia 3, 30g sump, 4b 48" t5s lighting, 29g reef with breeding pair clowns 55g reef 55g freshwater

06/15/2008, 08:44 AM	#4
shuguley Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Smiths Station, AL Posts: 536	I'm new to the hobby like you, and I'm going with a 55 gallon because I did not want the cost of properly setting up anything larger right now. This is a very expensive hobby, and I chose not to go cheap on sand. Sand is very important for the filtration in your tank and you will have the sand for a long time. I know many people use the cheap sand from hardware stores, but I chose not to, I don't want to risk the lives of my inhabitants with sand that was designed for something else. You are already going to spend a ton of money if you do things right, so don't skimp on sand. Like others said, you do not have to add live sand, but I would definitley add a quality aragonite sand from a company like Caribsea. Aragonite sand will eventuall become "live" if you seed it with a little live sand and/or live rock. You can get a 30 lb bag of such sand here for $23 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...21&pcatid=7321 They also have very reasonable shipping, I bought all my sand from them. If the cost is too prohibitive on the sand, you will probably think the cost is too high on a lot of stuff, and maybe you should go with a smaller aquarium. Just my opinion after only 6 weeks of reading and researching the hobby. Last edited by shuguley; 06/15/2008 at 08:55 AM.

06/15/2008, 09:02 AM	#6
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Crazed Puffer is right. I would recommend dry Caribsea Aragonite, medium grade, not the prettiest, but it stays out of your pipes, and aragonite is a good marine-hobby sand. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

06/15/2008, 07:38 AM	#2
Aydee Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canberra Australia Posts: 102	I can't give an answer as I live in Australia. Furthermore, I live inland and it's impossible to get LS at all where I live. But, questions to ask you.. How much LS did you need? How urgently did you need it? Finally, I'm assuming NJ = New Jersey (Again. Aussie thing. All those US acronym things). Is that inland? Are there any low-pollution beaches near you where you can scoop an esky (cooler) full of sand from? AD

06/15/2008, 08:46 AM	#5
crazedpuffer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NY Posts: 280	Get pool filter sand from home depot, it's about 12 dollars for 50 pounds, then add LR, the LR will seed the sand making it live.