Live sand from Petco?

yellowtruck75 · 07/02/2012, 07:43 PM

I was at Petco yesterday and noticed this live sand for sale

http://www.petco.com/product/7452/Na...t=OnSiteSearch

Thoughts for reef tank?

StephLionfish · 07/02/2012, 07:47 PM

Live sand is a waste of money. Most critters will not be alive after sitting in a bag for who knows how long, and what is alive will be rinsed out (assuming you rinse the sand, which is something you'll want to do.)
Dead sand will become live if you have live rock.

Ryand63 · 07/03/2012, 06:09 AM

I bought 40 lbs of that exact sand for my 29 gallon a few months ago to start my new tank and it sped my cycle up significantly but I also used pure ammonia instead of fish or shrimp or food. I like the sand though cuz it's fine grain but not too fine to get blown around, and I have alot of flow in there (1000gph) ina 29 gallon.

pugbreath13 · 07/03/2012, 06:48 AM

I have used that sand on my last two tanks and it has worked great.

y0ung0ne · 07/03/2012, 06:57 AM

I have used it several times and works nice.

yellowtruck75 · 07/03/2012, 07:29 AM

Sounds good I might go and get the 3 bags they have on the shelf

StephLionfish · 07/03/2012, 04:47 PM

Don't, live sand is a gimmick. How can it be live after sitting on a shelf for who knows how long with no filtration or heat?

I'm sorry, but it must have either been luck or their live rock that the three above posters had good luck with.

Also, like I said, dead sand will become live in a few weeks granted you have live rock. It's also less money.

shades_of_blue · 07/03/2012, 04:59 PM

It is the same sand that youl get at your lfs so if its on sale why not..

Xmn reeferX · 07/03/2012, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shades_of_blue

It is the same sand that youl get at your lfs so if its on sale why not..

If you want truly live sand find someone taking down there tank in your local area and take it straight from their tank

yellowtruck75 · 07/03/2012, 06:08 PM

I know that it isn't going to necessarily be "alive" anymore and thats not why I am looking at it. I want a sand that will be beneficial to my tank, not create problems and something that will look good. I am using dry rock not live rock and plan on seeding it with a few small piece of live rock which can seed the sand also.

07/02/2012, 07:43 PM	#1
yellowtruck75 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: WATSONTOWN PA Posts: 2,171	Live sand from Petco? I was at Petco yesterday and noticed this live sand for sale http://www.petco.com/product/7452/Na...t=OnSiteSearch Thoughts for reef tank?

07/02/2012, 07:47 PM	#2
StephLionfish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,836	Live sand is a waste of money. Most critters will not be alive after sitting in a bag for who knows how long, and what is alive will be rinsed out (assuming you rinse the sand, which is something you'll want to do.) Dead sand will become live if you have live rock. __________________ The most intelligent people ask the most questions.

07/03/2012, 04:47 PM	#7
StephLionfish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,836	Don't, live sand is a gimmick. How can it be live after sitting on a shelf for who knows how long with no filtration or heat? I'm sorry, but it must have either been luck or their live rock that the three above posters had good luck with. Also, like I said, dead sand will become live in a few weeks granted you have live rock. It's also less money. __________________ The most intelligent people ask the most questions.

07/03/2012, 04:59 PM	#8
shades_of_blue Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: california Posts: 103	If your looking to use live sand its all the same It is the same sand that youl get at your lfs so if its on sale why not..

07/03/2012, 06:09 AM	#3
Ryand63 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,045	I bought 40 lbs of that exact sand for my 29 gallon a few months ago to start my new tank and it sped my cycle up significantly but I also used pure ammonia instead of fish or shrimp or food. I like the sand though cuz it's fine grain but not too fine to get blown around, and I have alot of flow in there (1000gph) ina 29 gallon.

07/03/2012, 06:48 AM	#4
pugbreath13 Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The former United States Posts: 466	I have used that sand on my last two tanks and it has worked great.

07/03/2012, 06:57 AM	#5
y0ung0ne Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 452	I have used it several times and works nice.

07/03/2012, 07:29 AM	#6
yellowtruck75 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: WATSONTOWN PA Posts: 2,171	Sounds good I might go and get the 3 bags they have on the shelf

07/03/2012, 06:08 PM	#10
yellowtruck75 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: WATSONTOWN PA Posts: 2,171	I know that it isn't going to necessarily be "alive" anymore and thats not why I am looking at it. I want a sand that will be beneficial to my tank, not create problems and something that will look good. I am using dry rock not live rock and plan on seeding it with a few small piece of live rock which can seed the sand also.