Caribsea Ocean Direct Live Sand

[WillowDemetriou]

I am looking to use caribsea's oceon direct live sand for my tank. I understand this comes with bacteria already. Is it worth also using another bacteria product like bacteria in a bottle or AF Mud, or does this defeat the purpose of the live sand? Is the ocean direct live sand enough to cycle the tank on its own (with an ammonia source during cycling). Willow the bacteria from the sand be able to colonise the rock too?

 

[fishywishy]

Yes, i would definitely use some bottled bacteria and ammonia. There is barely any beneficial bacteria in Carib sea sand.

 

[WillowDemetriou]

Yes, i would definitely use some bottled bacteria and ammonia. There is barely any beneficial bacteria in Carib sea sand.

I think the brs biome testing the did might disagree with this, especially with the diversity in the ocean direct sand. I was thinking to use some bottle bacteria as well, but then I wasn't sure if that would outcompete some of the biome in the live sand

 

[fishywishy]

I think the brs biome testing the did might disagree with this, especially with the diversity in the ocean direct sand. I was thinking to use some bottle bacteria as well, but then I wasn't sure if that would outcompete some of the biome in the live sand

I’ve used CaribSea sand wet sand countless times, and I know it contains very little beneficial bacteria. you can use it to cycle your tank, but keep in mind that cycling your tank will likely take a lot longer, up to a month, compared to a couple of weeks if you use bottled bacteria and ammonia. Also, thats not really how it works, bacteria doesn’t outcompete each other. Beneficial bacteria will naturally regulate themselves based on the available nutrients and wont outcompete any biome developing in the sand.

 

[mpatterson42]

While the Ocean Direct sand does have more bacteria than other wet CaribSea products like the Special Grade I'd still recommend bottled bacteria and dosing with ammonia.

 

[Miami Reef]

No need for bottled bacteria when using ocean direct sand.

Taricha tested it, and it was nearly identical to adding Fritz Turbo Start 9, which was the best out of all the bacteria bottles tested:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/n...what-do-they-need.989780/page-8#post-11690971

 

[Fish Fan]

While the Ocean Direct sand does have more bacteria than other wet CaribSea products like the Special Grade I'd still recommend bottled bacteria and dosing with ammonia.

This is accurate. The "Ocean Direct" sand specifically has more beneficail bacteria than the other CaribbSea "Live" sands in a bag, but it would never hurt to use a good bottled bacteria product in addition. I would suggest the Dr. Tim's One and Only, Fritz TurboStart, or BioSpira if you can find it. Those three seem to be the most well regarded here on R2R, with the Fritz TurboStart considered the "fastest acting".

And better still would be to get some good live rock from a quality LFS or go whole hog and get your rock and sand literally "Ocean Direct" from the good ladies at Tampa Bay Saltwater.

Behold!
https://tbsaltwater.com/
Good luck!

 

[WillowDemetriou]

I’ve used CaribSea sand wet sand countless times, and I know it contains very little beneficial bacteria. you can use it to cycle your tank, but keep in mind that cycling your tank will likely take a lot longer, up to a month, compared to a couple of weeks if you use bottled bacteria and ammonia. Also, thats not really how it works, bacteria doesn’t outcompete each other. Beneficial bacteria will naturally regulate themselves based on the available nutrients and wont outcompete any biome developing in the sand.

Okay, thanks. The ocean direct sand is very different from the other caribsea live sands tho. I'll probably add some bottle bacteria along with the sand during cycling, thanks.