Bagged sand sold as "Live" really isn't.
It's just a marketing ploy.
If anything, sand sold as "Live" probably has dead stuff in it.
Go ahead and wash it.

Cheers,

That makes perfect sense.
Dave

it has bactieria in it, helps with the cycle.

Hi and welcome,

I have a little cottage :mrgreen: in Balfour I visit twice a year when I can. I have Family in Balfour too.

How many pet/fish stores are around the area?

Sure it does.
And that product, "Cycle" supposedly has bacteria in it too. (Waste of money, that, IMO).
So how do ya figure that bacteria is fairin', all sealed up in a plastic bag, with no expiry date? :confused:

Check out pages 39 & 40 of "Reef Invertebrates", by Calfo & Fenner. Good spiel on packaged "Live" sand.

Cheers,

Actually the bacteria is held in chemical stasis and is activated by various environmental cues when added to the tank.

Ever heard of anthrax?? :rolleyes:

Of course I've heard of anthrax, but I don't know details about it.
I'm no biologist or chemist and never claimed to be.
I'm just goin' by what I've read from the "experts".
I named my source, but that appears to be not enough.

To quote "....If we add some cultured bacteria to the sand and water mixture is that better? Perhaps. And how is it again that these living "power-stations" of microbial activity are remaining in stasis on a dealers shelf, in a sealed bag, without food, or climate control, no oxygenation, or expiration date on the bag?....." - Reef Invertebrates by Calfo and Fenner. Pages 39 & 40.

And I forgive the rolleyes.

Cheers,

(Edit: "...running in stasis..." should have read "...remaining in stasis..."

don't rock the boat christy, clearly there is no such thing as anything packed "live" in a bag or a bottle.

So if I am wrong, what am I missing? :confused:
What are Calfo & Fenner saying? :confused:
Am I misinterpreting their view?

Please and thanx,

And my apologies to sharelove for hijacking the thread.

Welcome to CanReef! :smile:

HI, this is what Michael Paletta has to say in his book, "The New Marine Aquarium": As with other substrates, live sand should only be introduced after the live rock has been placed in the aquarium and fully cured. The ammonia overload form curing rock can kill delicate sand organisms."
So?