Live Sand

[Probe2K1]

Can someone please explain the theory of Live Sand to me? Here's what I get out of it:

1) It produces "good" bacteria for your aquarium.

2) It helps the aquarium keep clean.

I don't get it. Does the sand eat the fish crap and fallen food or what? Also, what are the going prices on such an item? Does it need to be replaced often? Is it worth it? I heard that the sand needs to be cycled before you put it in...is this true?

Yours truly,

Confused Newbie in Georgia

[Ninong]

Hi Probe2K1 ~

The best way to respond to your post is to provide you with links to articles that discuss this topic in detail:

http://www.reefs.org/library/talklog...ek_090698.html

http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/a.../1/default.asp

http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/a...wb/default.asp

http://www.reefs.org/library/article/r_shimek4.html

http://www.reefland.com/cgi-bin/foru...&threadid=3092

http://www.aqualink-too.com/ubb/boar...&f=11&t=002751

Ninong

[Ninong]

Originally posted by Probe2K1

Can someone please explain the theory of Live Sand to me?

OK.

Here's what I get out of it:

1) It produces "good" bacteria for your aquarium.

Yes.

2) It helps the aquarium keep clean.

Yes.

I don't get it. Does the sand eat the fish crap and fallen food or what?

The microbes, microorganisms, and sand bed infauna process the fish crap and fallen food and stuff.

Also, what are the going prices on such an item?

Genuine live sand imported from places like Fiji will run about $2 to $3 a pound. If it has been handled properly, it should contain a lot of microcrustaceans and wormy critters in addition to beneficial bacteria.

Does it need to be replaced often?

Not exactly replaced, but replenished. Aragonite sands gradually dissolve over time in a reef tank and you will want to add a little more sand to your sand bed every 18 months or so to maintain the proper depth.

Is it worth it?

Yes and no. You can get by without the real stuff from Fiji if you want to. What most people do is to start out with mostly "dead" fine grain aragonite sand like Southdown Tropical Play Sand from the Caribbean or ESV Oolitic sand. Then they may add a small amount of genuine live sand on top of this, perhaps 25 to 50 lbs at the most, but even this is not really necessary. It is very important that you add the appropriate sand bed critters to your sand bed just as soon as your tank has cycled. You can purchase these beneficial critters (referred to as "detrivore kits") from www.ipsf.com and www.inlandaquatics.com It is a good idea to add extra "detrivore kit" type stuff every 18 months or so to make sure that your sand bed has a healthy diverse population of the right stuff.

I heard that the sand needs to be cycled before you put it in...is this true?

No.

If you want to check out the Southdown sand, also called Yardright sand, just click on the banner at the top of the page for Shopping @ Reefland. They also offer real live sand that they aquaculture by adding sand bed critters to plain old cheapy Southdown sand.

Don't forget to check out those articles I linked for you above. That should tell you more than you really wanted to know about sand beds.

Ninong

[orion25]

By all means order your LS from Scott at Reefland. I got my LS and Southdown from him and I could not be happpier.

Ryan

[Probe2K1]

Thanks a lot for the links Ninong, I have learn much from them. And answering my questions. Very helpful.

Also, thanks for the advice Orion, I'll check it out.