Nature's Ocean brand sand

euromomtx · 06/03/2009, 12:49 PM

Are there significant quality differences between NO and the Caribsea brand?
I've always used CS brand but I have a bigger tank now and (even dry) sand is expensive.
I can get a lot of NO aragonite sand but I don't want to be cheap and then regret it.
So any horror stories or stuff I need to know about Nature's Ocean brand sand?

KarlBob · 06/03/2009, 01:04 PM

I don't know anything specifically about Nature's Ocean, but I think your best bet is to buy dry aragonite sand, then ask around until you find someone in your area willing to donate a cup or so of live sand from their aquarium. The bagged "live sand" is innoculated with particular species of bacteria, but sand from an established tank will come with a variety of bacteria, plus invertebrates like brittle stars, worms and 'pods. If you can find more than one sand donor, your starting culture will be even more diverse.

euromomtx · 06/03/2009, 01:13 PM

i have an established tank - had it for ten years, hence i am going cheap by buying dry sand. i just got a bigger tank and am reusing my live rock and sand but neededed a whole bunch more because my new tank is 100g bigger than my old tank.
i am just wondering if the cheaper dry sand is more likely to cause trouble than established brands like CB.

VacavilleFC3S · 06/03/2009, 02:42 PM

i have 80# of NO sugar sand mixed with 75# west mariculture sugar sand and i absolutely love it,

Krim · 06/03/2009, 05:23 PM

I have both and i am quite satisfied. NO is fine. I bought because I got a good deal.

THE ROOK · 06/03/2009, 05:24 PM

I've used NO & was very pleased. Just need to rinse vey well before adding to the tank.

06/03/2009, 12:49 PM	#1
euromomtx Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 742 Blog Entries: 3	Nature's Ocean brand sand Are there significant quality differences between NO and the Caribsea brand? I've always used CS brand but I have a bigger tank now and (even dry) sand is expensive. I can get a lot of NO aragonite sand but I don't want to be cheap and then regret it. So any horror stories or stuff I need to know about Nature's Ocean brand sand?

06/03/2009, 01:04 PM	#2
KarlBob Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Laveen, AZ Posts: 2,309	I don't know anything specifically about Nature's Ocean, but I think your best bet is to buy dry aragonite sand, then ask around until you find someone in your area willing to donate a cup or so of live sand from their aquarium. The bagged "live sand" is innoculated with particular species of bacteria, but sand from an established tank will come with a variety of bacteria, plus invertebrates like brittle stars, worms and 'pods. If you can find more than one sand donor, your starting culture will be even more diverse. __________________ Later, KarlBob Current Tank Info: No tanks for now. Starting over in Austin sometime next year.

06/03/2009, 01:13 PM	#3
euromomtx Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 742 Blog Entries: 3	i have an established tank - had it for ten years, hence i am going cheap by buying dry sand. i just got a bigger tank and am reusing my live rock and sand but neededed a whole bunch more because my new tank is 100g bigger than my old tank. i am just wondering if the cheaper dry sand is more likely to cause trouble than established brands like CB. __________________ Karin Current Tank Info: 215g Caribbean Inspired Reef with Shadowbox

06/03/2009, 02:42 PM	#4
VacavilleFC3S Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vacaville California Posts: 2,613	i have 80# of NO sugar sand mixed with 75# west mariculture sugar sand and i absolutely love it,

06/03/2009, 05:23 PM	#5
Krim Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 69	I have both and i am quite satisfied. NO is fine. I bought because I got a good deal.

06/03/2009, 05:24 PM	#6
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	I've used NO & was very pleased. Just need to rinse vey well before adding to the tank.