Live Sand?

sarzeff · #1 09-07-2009, 08:15 PM

Ok, I have a question about live sand. Basically wanting to know, is it worth the cost? The guy at the LFS where I used to live told me don't bother, it's the biggest scam out there. Just use live rock and regular subtrate. The person at the LFS where I just moved to, says LS is an absolute MUST.

It seems alot of people use it but I noticed alot of you seem to scoff at it as well. I searched and couldn't find an existing thread so I thought it would be a good question to put out there. I'm curious because if it is worth the cost, I'd like to take out what I currently have for substrate and get some live sand before I put in my live rock.

Leah · #2 09-07-2009, 08:21 PM

If you already have some I would just use it, maybe your friend could give you a little of
their live. I have used both and it all works, pro's and con's for both.

sarzeff · #3 09-07-2009, 08:23 PM

I currently have argonite substrate in there. I wasn't planning on getting live sand but was a little curious about if it was worth it.

Leah · #4 09-07-2009, 08:29 PM

I think it boils down to preference. If it is a fish only tank I would just do what you are doing.

sarzeff · #5 09-07-2009, 08:31 PM

Good to know, I was planning on just fish and live rock. If I wanted to add some live sand, can I mix it in with the current substrate?

Leah · #6 09-07-2009, 08:31 PM

SeaHorse_Fanatic · #7 09-08-2009, 07:46 AM

Most of my reefer friends & I have come to the consensus that buying "live" sand is falling for a marketing ploy.

Consider a few factors:

Bacteria is what makes "live" sand, "live".
Bacteria multiply like crazy when nutrients are present.
Before they began charging a premium for bagged "live" sand, the standard practice was to get regular aragonite sand & a cup or two of old sand from an established tank to add the bacteria into the new sandbed.
Heck, even the bacteria in your live rock should add bacteria to the new sandbed to help make it "live" eventually.
Therefore, no need to buy bagged "live" sand.

JMHO,

Anthony

sarzeff · #8 09-08-2009, 04:11 PM

Yeah I plan on taking it slow with the fish. Clean up crew first, and slowly as well. I think just having them in there will be really neat to see. Even after having the tank sitting her empty I am excited to get the rock into it lol

Leah · #9 09-08-2009, 05:41 PM

In a 25 gal that deep (2-3 inches) of a sand bed will leave less room for rock