Live Sand?

MelloYellow · 08/09/2006, 12:21 PM

Looking into buying about 120lb of Aragamax Sand then seeding it with some LS from a fellow reefer/LFS....but thats gonna run me about 80-90bucks. Already dreading the idea of buying 100lb's of rock for 300 lol. Is there any alternative to the Aragamax Sand? I've heard of using just regular home depot sand as long as it passes a "vinegar test"? Are the 2 similar in composition? or should i just bite the bullet and buy the Aragamax? Thanks!

RudeBoy · 08/09/2006, 12:25 PM

Bite the bullet... and remember that you GET what you pay for!!! You'll be glad you did in the long run.

MJAnderson · 08/09/2006, 12:41 PM

It's close, but considering how hard it is to replace I'd spend the extra money now. Do you really want 2.5 cubic feet of "almost as good" in your reef tank?

Infern0 · 08/09/2006, 09:27 PM

You can make that sand you are refering to live...but the more dead you buy and seed with live, the longer it will take. If there is no rush in your schedule...I say go for it. If you're in a hurry to get the live sand "live" then you're gonna have to pay a little more initially. I did it your way because I had nothing but time. Now all my sand and rock is "thriving". Paid less, waited longer...equal results.

As far as worrying the amount of money you are expecting to spend on something that doesn't even swim....welcome to the hobby. ; )

outy · 08/10/2006, 12:50 AM

the main reason ive found why we dont use the other type of sand [cheap playsand] is that it has sharp edges and is much harder. this is hard on snails and cukes and other sand dwellers so to speak or i would have it in my tank.

bertoni · 08/10/2006, 01:02 AM

Actually, lots of people do quite well with the silica sand, although the play sand is very coarse. There is the esthetic issue, though. Some people definitely prefer the looks of aragonite.

08/09/2006, 12:21 PM	#1
MelloYellow Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 416	Live Sand? Looking into buying about 120lb of Aragamax Sand then seeding it with some LS from a fellow reefer/LFS....but thats gonna run me about 80-90bucks. Already dreading the idea of buying 100lb's of rock for 300 lol. Is there any alternative to the Aragamax Sand? I've heard of using just regular home depot sand as long as it passes a "vinegar test"? Are the 2 similar in composition? or should i just bite the bullet and buy the Aragamax? Thanks!

08/09/2006, 12:25 PM	#2
RudeBoy Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Greece, NY Posts: 728	Bite the bullet... and remember that you GET what you pay for!!! You'll be glad you did in the long run. __________________ "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for mankind..." - Horace Mann Current Tank Info: 65g AGA RR, 20g long Sump, ASM G2 Skimmer, Closed Loop System w/ Mag 9.5 Return, 2 AI Prime HD LED Modules, Custom Stand/Canopy, Various residents

08/10/2006, 01:02 AM	#6
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Actually, lots of people do quite well with the silica sand, although the play sand is very coarse. There is the esthetic issue, though. Some people definitely prefer the looks of aragonite. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

08/09/2006, 12:41 PM	#3
MJAnderson Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: East Bay, CA Posts: 2,633	It's close, but considering how hard it is to replace I'd spend the extra money now. Do you really want 2.5 cubic feet of "almost as good" in your reef tank?

08/09/2006, 09:27 PM	#4
Infern0 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 229	You can make that sand you are refering to live...but the more dead you buy and seed with live, the longer it will take. If there is no rush in your schedule...I say go for it. If you're in a hurry to get the live sand "live" then you're gonna have to pay a little more initially. I did it your way because I had nothing but time. Now all my sand and rock is "thriving". Paid less, waited longer...equal results. As far as worrying the amount of money you are expecting to spend on something that doesn't even swim....welcome to the hobby. ; )

08/10/2006, 12:50 AM	#5
outy Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: auburn CA Posts: 4,021	the main reason ive found why we dont use the other type of sand [cheap playsand] is that it has sharp edges and is much harder. this is hard on snails and cukes and other sand dwellers so to speak or i would have it in my tank.