Live Sand

killarsox · 12/22/2008, 02:26 PM

What does everyone suggest as far as sand goes in the bottom of the aquarium? Bagged "live sand" and add some live sand from an established system is what I was told? How much sand would you put in a 46 gallon bowfront, I'm thinking around 80-100 lbs.

rickgarant · 12/22/2008, 02:34 PM

depends on how deep you want it i like it deep 4 to 5 inchs

jon99 · 12/22/2008, 02:42 PM

I wouldn't bother with the bagged "live sand". It's more a marketing gimik more than anything else. Just get some dry aragonite based sand of appropriate size (depends on what you're keeping, how deep sand bed, it's also very debatable). Add a piece of live rock or a few handfuls of sand from an established aquarium and it will become live sand in no time. Save yourself the money. Live sand it generally more expensive and heavier (it's wet) so you get less for your money.

As far as how much... again very debatable. Most people do a 2-3 inch sand bed for aesthetic reasons. I've read it should be either a deep sand bed of 5"+ or a shallow sand bed of 1/2" or less. Again depending who you ask you will get different opinions.

nukemdanno · 12/22/2008, 02:44 PM

You could go all bagged live sand and fill the tank with sump water from another system to seed the pods. The amount of sand will depend upon you. My display bed is 5 inches deep. I think i used 10 bags for a 90gal display.

Whys · 12/22/2008, 03:26 PM

I put about 110 pounds in my 37g for a 5" DSB.

People tend to have very strong views on the value of using livesand. Here is what I can tell you. Ocean Direct Original Grade and Oolite do infact contain living micro-organisms that survive for at least a week in an unopened bag (personal experience and verified with a microscope). I can not speak for other brands. However, livesand is not a necessity and with enough time and patience liverock will turn any sand into livesand. However, if your short on patience and flush with cash, livesand does seem to speed the maturing process (again IME). Also, Ocean Direct Original Grade and Oolite are not always available in a non-live variety.

A cup of sand from an established tank is very good idea.

12/22/2008, 02:26 PM	#1
killarsox Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ny Posts: 204	Live Sand What does everyone suggest as far as sand goes in the bottom of the aquarium? Bagged "live sand" and add some live sand from an established system is what I was told? How much sand would you put in a 46 gallon bowfront, I'm thinking around 80-100 lbs.

12/22/2008, 02:34 PM	#2
rickgarant Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 58	depends on how deep you want it i like it deep 4 to 5 inchs

12/22/2008, 02:42 PM	#3
jon99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atl Ga Posts: 817	I wouldn't bother with the bagged "live sand". It's more a marketing gimik more than anything else. Just get some dry aragonite based sand of appropriate size (depends on what you're keeping, how deep sand bed, it's also very debatable). Add a piece of live rock or a few handfuls of sand from an established aquarium and it will become live sand in no time. Save yourself the money. Live sand it generally more expensive and heavier (it's wet) so you get less for your money. As far as how much... again very debatable. Most people do a 2-3 inch sand bed for aesthetic reasons. I've read it should be either a deep sand bed of 5"+ or a shallow sand bed of 1/2" or less. Again depending who you ask you will get different opinions.

12/22/2008, 02:44 PM	#4
nukemdanno Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 133	You could go all bagged live sand and fill the tank with sump water from another system to seed the pods. The amount of sand will depend upon you. My display bed is 5 inches deep. I think i used 10 bags for a 90gal display.

12/22/2008, 03:26 PM	#5
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	I put about 110 pounds in my 37g for a 5" DSB. People tend to have very strong views on the value of using livesand. Here is what I can tell you. Ocean Direct Original Grade and Oolite do infact contain living micro-organisms that survive for at least a week in an unopened bag (personal experience and verified with a microscope). I can not speak for other brands. However, livesand is not a necessity and with enough time and patience liverock will turn any sand into livesand. However, if your short on patience and flush with cash, livesand does seem to speed the maturing process (again IME). Also, Ocean Direct Original Grade and Oolite are not always available in a non-live variety. A cup of sand from an established tank is very good idea.