[mseepman]

Interesting...I've always used bagged "live sand" in my tank startups and as yet, I've never gone through the cycle or diatom bloom that I've always seen with tanks using the other sands.

I will be building a new tank in my new house soon and if I go with a sand bottom, it will for sure include mostly live sand.

Just my 2 cents though.

By the way, what did you decide to use as a pump to circulate water through the chiller. I know the local LFS uses a Mag drive but they are hideously loud and warm. On top of that, they had to restrict the flow because the mag was too big. I recommend you looking at ordering something like a Rio from J&L as they are quiet and small. An eheim would be even better but more expensive.