Live Sand Vendors

mikejurney · 06/12/2008, 10:37 AM

I just went to put in an order for live sand over at liveaquaria.com, but they no longer seem to have any in stock. Can any give me a recommendation for a reliable online vendor that might be able to deliver overnight for tomorrow?

greggnyce · 06/12/2008, 10:57 AM

Why not purchase from an lfs, locally?

Gtstricky · 06/12/2008, 12:38 PM

Local

or

http://www.pacificeastaquaculture.com/

or

http:///www.tampabaysaltwater.com

smklaw · 06/12/2008, 12:53 PM

www.reeftopia.com

mikejurney · 06/12/2008, 02:47 PM

It just seems that, being in NYC, I'm less likely to get a broad and useful collection of microfauna in anything that's been sitting in an LFS tank (as opposed to having been harvested the day before in Florida). Additionally, the only sand I've been able to find in town is the brand-name bagged kind, which is guaranteed to have nothing but bacteria (if you're lucky).

seapug · 06/12/2008, 03:14 PM

none of the sand you buy is wild harvested. The risk of bringing in pests and predators is way too high. Just buy dry sand and put it in the tank with some live rock and it'll be live sand in no time.

kmf507 · 06/12/2008, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by seapug
none of the sand you buy is wild harvested. The risk of bringing in pests and predators is way too high. Just buy dry sand and put it in the tank with some live rock and it'll be live sand in no time.

100% agree!. This hobby is expensive enough as it is. LS is not necessary.

greggnyce · 06/13/2008, 08:39 AM

Take a ride out on the island, suffolk county fish and reef, and country critters sell sand from there tanks.

snorvich · 06/13/2008, 11:16 AM

Listen to seapug and kmf507.

mikejurney · 06/13/2008, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by seapug
none of the sand you buy is wild harvested. The risk of bringing in pests and predators is way too high. Just buy dry sand and put it in the tank with some live rock and it'll be live sand in no time.

I agree that it will be live in the sense that the bacteria will populate down into the sand, but all of the microfauna (worms, pods, and so on) that help stir and turn over the sand won't be present. That's a big part of what I want a sand bed for in the first place.

seapug · 06/13/2008, 03:33 PM

Live rock contains large populations of those creatures and they will make their way into the sand within a few days of being introduced to it. Seriously, don't waste money on having live sand shipped to you.

06/12/2008, 10:37 AM	#1
mikejurney Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 22	Live Sand Vendors I just went to put in an order for live sand over at liveaquaria.com, but they no longer seem to have any in stock. Can any give me a recommendation for a reliable online vendor that might be able to deliver overnight for tomorrow?

06/12/2008, 10:57 AM	#2
greggnyce Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bellport, New York Posts: 1,782	Why not purchase from an lfs, locally? __________________ What you talkin about Mrs Lime. Current Tank Info: 120 gl oceanic tech, 30 gallon fuge, 40 gallon sump, Itech 200 skimmer, LED Lighting . Mixed reef.

06/12/2008, 12:53 PM	#4
smklaw Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 106	www.reeftopia.com __________________ Scott Current Tank Info: 160 corner, 225 and currently planning/pricing 325-400

06/12/2008, 03:14 PM	#6
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	none of the sand you buy is wild harvested. The risk of bringing in pests and predators is way too high. Just buy dry sand and put it in the tank with some live rock and it'll be live sand in no time. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

06/13/2008, 08:39 AM	#8
greggnyce Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bellport, New York Posts: 1,782	Take a ride out on the island, suffolk county fish and reef, and country critters sell sand from there tanks. __________________ What you talkin about Mrs Lime. Current Tank Info: 120 gl oceanic tech, 30 gallon fuge, 40 gallon sump, Itech 200 skimmer, LED Lighting . Mixed reef.

06/12/2008, 12:38 PM	#3
Gtstricky Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kennett Sq, PA Posts: 496	Local or http://www.pacificeastaquaculture.com/ or http:///www.tampabaysaltwater.com

06/12/2008, 02:47 PM	#5
mikejurney Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 22	It just seems that, being in NYC, I'm less likely to get a broad and useful collection of microfauna in anything that's been sitting in an LFS tank (as opposed to having been harvested the day before in Florida). Additionally, the only sand I've been able to find in town is the brand-name bagged kind, which is guaranteed to have nothing but bacteria (if you're lucky).

06/13/2008, 11:16 AM	#9
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	Listen to seapug and kmf507. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

06/13/2008, 03:33 PM	#11
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	Live rock contains large populations of those creatures and they will make their way into the sand within a few days of being introduced to it. Seriously, don't waste money on having live sand shipped to you. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.