Best Live Sand Substrate

**LoneWolf** · 05-19-2009, 10:01 PM

Getting ready to set up new Solana want to know what people are using for substrate and why???

Thanks

**revhtree** · 05-19-2009, 10:06 PM

I would not waste my time buying the "live" sand. Just get some dry sand and get a lfs or local reefer to trade you a cup of sand to seed it.

**NVTE** · 05-20-2009, 03:17 AM

Originally Posted by revhtree

I would not waste my time buying the "live" sand. Just get some dry sand and get a lfs or local reefer to trade you a cup of sand to seed it.

1+
New sand is best. I used some Ocean Direct sugar sized sand for my new frag tank. look clean than my old sand.

**Sr5_Reef** · 05-20-2009, 03:25 AM

Originally Posted by revhtree

I would not waste my time buying the "live" sand. Just get some dry sand and get a lfs or local reefer to trade you a cup of sand to seed it.

Agreed once more, just use some dry sand and seed it with a reefer's sand and let it cycle out.
I used all new sand when i moved and set my tank back up.

**LoneWolf** · 05-21-2009, 10:08 AM

was planning on using "new" sand .... something similar to Arag-Alive unless there is a better substitute... planning on letting new tank cycle for at least a month depending on levels... hoping to get some cured LR from Local Reef Store...

Thanks in Advance
Rich

**FiReBReTHa** · 05-21-2009, 10:39 AM

joining thread.

**revhtree** · 05-21-2009, 10:40 AM

Well you don't need the sand that says live and has water in it. It's kinda like snake oil if you know what I mean.

**ficklefins** · 05-21-2009, 10:46 AM

Caribsea Arag-Alive Special Grade Reef Sand
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...ry~FISSLS.html

I really like the size of the sand listed above, and not because it is "live sand". It stays down under higher flow, but yet isn't so big that it looks like crushed coral.

**revhtree** · 05-21-2009, 10:50 AM

I use the same sand fickle, just not the live. With my Vortechs wide open the sand stays put.

**Raptor** · 05-21-2009, 10:56 AM

I like getting the dry sand and get a couple of lbs from tampa to seed it. I have crazy pod growth. They seem to be everywhere when the lights are off.

**LoneWolf** · 05-22-2009, 12:06 PM

Raptor do you mean Tampabay Saltwater??? Have you bought rock from them???

**SeaSlug** · 05-23-2009, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by revhtree

I would not waste my time buying the "live" sand. Just get some dry sand and get a lfs or local reefer to trade you a cup of sand to seed it.

Agreed..........There is nothing live about baged sand , buy dry sand and rince it well , then seed , even if you don't have a source for a cup form a mature tank it will become live sand in short order .

**Hypertek99** · 05-23-2009, 10:12 AM

Yep dry here too. Live sand is a waste of money.

**eggie** · 05-25-2009, 09:00 AM

I used Dry sand Caribe Sea bermuda pink 2-5mm its very nice

**starfish** · 06-12-2009, 06:29 PM

Caribsea spec. grade reef is a great size. Just set up a 17 cube with it and I really like it. Does not drift in current. Looks nice. I usually use the Fiji Pink. Personal preferance dry or live. I prefer the "live" its clean. Dry is awfully dusty and hard to rinse and the cheaper it is the worse. Last time I priced between caribsea dry and live there was not much differance where I live between the two to warrant all that rinsing!! But each to his own. I also use extra bacteria to help jump start the cycling process which usually takes just under 3-4 wks. Or recycled tank water from a friends tank if you are lucky. Good Luck with the tank.