Nature's Ocean Bio Active Reef Substrate

[snailkicker]

Our LFS is going out of business and has some Nature's Ocean Bio Active Reef substrate at sales prices. I was planning to use this brand for a new tank for a yellow headed jawfish.

Problem is their stuff has a best used by date of August 2011. Any thoughts on if I should buy it anyway? Will it still be "live" sand or will I need to do a full length cycle? Any thoughts on the Nature's Ocean products in general?

Thanks
Russ

[leebca]

The 'live' substrate sold in plastic bags is a bit of a joke in this hobby. Unfortunately new hobbyists and hobbyists not in on the joke don't understand. Check out my background: Bio - Lee (a.k.a. leebca)

As a microbiologist I can assure you the substrate isn't alive (in the sense hobbyists would like it to be). When it was bagged, the bacteria stopped their metabolic processes a few days later (if it was active to begin with). That is to say, they had nothing to eat so they went into a kind of hibernation. When the bag is opened and there is food available and conditions are right, they come out of hibernation -- slowly. The joke is that regular 'non-live' substrate would be up and running with the bacteria at about the same time as those in hibernation would come out of hibernation and start up their metabolism again. The bacteria that make up the 'live' substrate are everywhere -- like the US Marines. They are in the air, on land, and in water. They are free and ready to get to doing their job to get the hobbyist setup for an active biological filter. Only thing is, it takes time. Nothing will rush Nature.

True live substrate would come from a functioning aquarium system with a 'seasoned' biological filtration. Even such transfers of this into a new aquarium often causes the bacteria to stop working until they adjust to the new environment. Bacteria are sensitive to their environment too.

So, the bottom line is this. If the substrate they are offering is cheaper than 'non-live' substrate and it is the size and shape and kind you want, then it is a good deal. If this 'live' substrate is still more expensive than non-live substrate, or isn't the exact kind you want, or the exact size and shape you want, then pass it up. The expiration date didn't mean anything to begin with, unless it was within a few days of when the substrate was packaged. And for starting up a new aquarium, it will be fine.