Dead Sand

lt.smash · 05/30/2013, 10:47 PM

I went to my Local Fish Store(s) today and asked for dead sand. All they have is "LIVE"

I am starting a new tank 65g with 80% dry rock, will this be a long term problem? If so, where can I purchase 'dead' sand

Thanks

CoralReeForrest · 05/30/2013, 11:23 PM

What do you mean by dead sand? Do you just mean basic sand with no bacteria or anything? Aragonite seems to be one of the most used for the sand bed. It's at petco for 17.99 for a 20 lb bag.

ChadRaay86 · 05/31/2013, 01:22 AM

You can use either. You can also cycle a tank with 100 percent dead rock and 100 percent dead sand. Live sand isn't really all that beneficial and usually costs more. I'd just go with what you like the best. I used all dry fiji pink and its teeming with life after four months

NeilFox · 05/31/2013, 01:31 AM

How much does the live sand cost? If the price is right I would go for it...

Breadman03 · 05/31/2013, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lt.smash

If so, where can I purchase 'dead' sand

Thanks

Amazon has a decent selection. With Prime, I can get free shipping for Tuesday (3 business days).

rogermccray · 05/31/2013, 05:57 AM

Also consider checking out foster and smiths, you get free shipping at $50 but it may take about a week to get it.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=7326

Also remember to give it a good rinse before you put it in.

ahmer1781 · 05/31/2013, 07:02 AM

I had the same issue, 80 lbs of dead sand was $60 and u have to rinse it a million times, live sand was $90, for me the saving wasn't worth it, u don't have to wash it and u cycle much quicker so I went w the live sand

thegrun · 05/31/2013, 10:53 AM

Live sand can have just as much or more dust as dead sand and should be washed (in salt water) just like dry sand (wash dry sand with tap water). Remeber when you are purchasing live (wet) sand you are paying for the water (sand is sold by weight) so you don't get as much actual sand. For a 65 gallon tank we aren't talking about a lot of sand so either live or dry is fine.

crsswift70 · 05/31/2013, 11:19 AM

I used dry sand (dead) and live rock to cycle. I wouldn't pay extra for "live" sand unless it is cost prohibitive to buy dry sand elsewhere. I would suggest using live rock as opposed to dry though. When i first started, i could spend a lot of time just looking at what was growing and coming out of the rocks at night.

05/30/2013, 10:47 PM	#1
lt.smash Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 125	Dead Sand I went to my Local Fish Store(s) today and asked for dead sand. All they have is "LIVE" I am starting a new tank 65g with 80% dry rock, will this be a long term problem? If so, where can I purchase 'dead' sand Thanks

05/31/2013, 01:22 AM	#3
ChadRaay86 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Oldsmar, FL Posts: 1,560	You can use either. You can also cycle a tank with 100 percent dead rock and 100 percent dead sand. Live sand isn't really all that beneficial and usually costs more. I'd just go with what you like the best. I used all dry fiji pink and its teeming with life after four months __________________ This tank has been without an Aiptasia event for (1) days Current Tank: 300DD, Radion G3 Pro, Octopus Diablo DC-250, 2x MP-60, 2x MP-40, Full Apex, Korallin C4002 calcium reactor

05/31/2013, 07:02 AM	#7
ahmer1781 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Quincy, MA but work in Tewksbury, MA Posts: 71	I had the same issue, 80 lbs of dead sand was $60 and u have to rinse it a million times, live sand was $90, for me the saving wasn't worth it, u don't have to wash it and u cycle much quicker so I went w the live sand __________________ starting up a 90 gallon with a 30 gallon sump

05/30/2013, 11:23 PM	#2
CoralReeForrest Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Redding,Ca Posts: 1,010	What do you mean by dead sand? Do you just mean basic sand with no bacteria or anything? Aragonite seems to be one of the most used for the sand bed. It's at petco for 17.99 for a 20 lb bag.

05/31/2013, 01:31 AM	#4
NeilFox Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: DuPont, WA Posts: 947	How much does the live sand cost? If the price is right I would go for it...

05/31/2013, 05:57 AM	#6
rogermccray Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,050	Also consider checking out foster and smiths, you get free shipping at $50 but it may take about a week to get it. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=7326 Also remember to give it a good rinse before you put it in.

05/31/2013, 10:53 AM	#8
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Live sand can have just as much or more dust as dead sand and should be washed (in salt water) just like dry sand (wash dry sand with tap water). Remeber when you are purchasing live (wet) sand you are paying for the water (sand is sold by weight) so you don't get as much actual sand. For a 65 gallon tank we aren't talking about a lot of sand so either live or dry is fine.

05/31/2013, 11:19 AM	#9
crsswift70 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Spanish Fort, AL Posts: 1,032	I used dry sand (dead) and live rock to cycle. I wouldn't pay extra for "live" sand unless it is cost prohibitive to buy dry sand elsewhere. I would suggest using live rock as opposed to dry though. When i first started, i could spend a lot of time just looking at what was growing and coming out of the rocks at night.