Quick Live Sand Question

[TrooperVinny]

After my SG and temp are correct I want to add live sand. My question is, is there a problem with just having live sand in the tank for a while? Will the live stuff die off if there is no live rock or fish in there or will the sand help to cycle my tank?

 

[J-Money]

depending on the quality of the Live Sand you will definitely have some die off, maybe not much. But it will help you cycle your tank


Edited to add, if you are going to put LR in the tank as well I would put it in at the start. If you get uncured LR later you'll have to cure it, might as well cure it in a cycling tank

 

[Aquascaper]

Forget the Live Sand and just get Live Rock

The rock will seed the sand over time but will provide a far better biological filter from the start, a much better use of finances.

 

[TrooperVinny]

So what should I get for sand?

 

[Aquascaper]

Crushed Coral, Aragonite or Beach Sand

The only thing that makes Live Sand 'live' is the bacteria and small organisms living on and in the sand grains which are kept alive by packaging it with natural seawater. This means it costs more to collect, package and transport.......all things that you end up paying for. These same bacteria and organisms are found in Live Rock and once the two are placed together the bacteria and organisms will colonise both so all you are paying extra for is pre-colonised sand. Admittedly Live Sand will speed up the filtration capabilities of your tank but IMO, not enough to justify the difference in price - £25 a bag for Live Sand, £3 a bag for Crushed Coral (same quantities)

IMO you either do cured Live Rock and a 'dead' substrate or Live Sand and uncured Live Rock

 

[Mr Miagi]

Agreed. Live rock will eventually seed your sand layer with Bacteria, so no need to splurge out on LS.

You can if you swish, and to reduce costs, mix some Live Sand with crushed coral or aragonite to make your substrate.

 

[TrooperVinny]

Sounds good, I'll mix some live with some other form of sand and let my live rock (when I get it) handle the rest. Thanks again guys!