Would This Subtrate Be Ok Mixed

[black molly3]

as most ofyou are probably aware i am starting a new tank. i am lookig on making my own live sand. would this mixture be ok.

silica normal sand mixed with

medium marine gravel. about 5-8 mm with

course marine gravel. about 8mm - 1.1cm

of course with live rock and some subtrate from my current nano. with time will this change into live subtrate.

 

[poo-tang]

i think silicates are bad for marine tanks.
silicates=nutrients=algea issues

i could be wrong, someone else may know more, but no way would i use that sand in my tank

 

[black molly3]

what sand could i use then. could i use some from b&q what. i dont know all i have been told is buying the bagged live sand is pointless.

 

[kkyyllee]

silica sand will cause horrible algea, dont they sell dry sand at any of ur lfs?

 

[n3ont3tra]

I'm not sure if they have this in the UK, but most people from the US on this forum use aragonite sand. I don't think your mixture would work because it wouldn't have enough buffering capacity, meaning the Ph would be really low. Also, any type of sand will become 'live' after a while. Just mixing all those substrates wouldn't make it 'live'.

 

[n3ont3tra]

 

[black molly3]

ok so the silica sand is a big no no. i will have a look at my lfs today for some sand.if there is no sand should i get real small gravel. also it should become live because im adding subtrate from my old to be nano and some live rock so with a bit of time that shuld do the trick. do you think this is a good idea using the filter i have in my nano in my big tank to recyle the bacteria i had in my nano. my nano is still up and running now with a clown fish in and a cuc.
ooowwww i dont want to go through that algea blooooooooom
i hate it haha but i guess thats life
thanks for your help everyone my tank would have looked like a swamp if i would have put that sand in

 

[n3ont3tra]

For moving the filter media, I guess it depends on what kind it is. Carbon and phosphate removers won't help with the bacteria, sponges and things will probably add nitrates unless you've been squeezing them out often. If you have enough live rock I don't think you need to worry about the bacteria.

 

[SkiFletch]

As a followup, you want aragonite sand as was posted. If your LFS doesn't have any you can try garden stores. If it doesnt say wether its silica or aragonite you can do the vinegar trick. Pour some sand and vinegar in a cup. If after more than a minute the solution is still fizzing and bubbling, then its aragonite . If the fizzing stops (or if it never fizzes), its silica.