Gulf Live Rock VS TBS

[RevMH]

Bringing this thread back, but not for a debate over which company is better. My question to those who have purchased live sand from either or both is how fine is the grain? Is it ok for sand sifting fish??

And how do people feel mixing some of this truly live sand with Special Grade Arag-Alive?

It's mixed size with a lot of silt. You'll get small rocks, silt, and sand in almost every range. Absolutely think it's fine for a sand sifting starfish.

Regarding mixing, I've done this in some higher flow areas, but the sand separated. The smaller particles moved and the larger particles, from the live sand and the Special Grade were left behind.

Can it be done? 100%, but you'll want to expect some separation like mixing any other sand sizes.

I've been happy with any of the vendors I've used for my tiny (7.5 g), medium (75 g), and large (200 g) tanks.

 

[DmitryB]

It's mixed size with a lot of silt. You'll get small rocks, silt, and sand in almost every range. Absolutely think it's fine for a sand sifting starfish.

Regarding mixing, I've done this in some higher flow areas, but the sand separated. The smaller particles moved and the larger particles, from the live sand and the Special Grade were left behind.

Can it be done? 100%, but you'll want to expect some separation like mixing any other sand sizes.

I've been happy with any of the vendors I've used for my tiny (7.5 g), medium (75 g), and large (200 g) tanks.

What about sand sifting gobies and such? And did you use the live sand exclusively in your ranks, especially the 200 gallon one?

 

[RevMH]

It's mixed size with a lot of silt. You'll get small rocks, silt, and sand in almost every range. Absolutely think it's fine for a sand sifting starfish.

Regarding mixing, I've done this in some higher flow areas, but the sand separated. The smaller particles moved and the larger particles, from the live sand and the Special Grade were left behind.

Can it be done? 100%, but you'll want to expect some separation like mixing any other sand sizes.

I've been happy with any of the vendors I've used for my tiny (7.5 g), medium (75 g), and large (200 g) tanks.

What about sand sifting gobies and such? And did you use the live sand exclusively in your ranks, especially the 200 gallon one?

Definitely should be fine for the goby, too. Your grain size may vary, but what I've received from various vendors has been consistent.

The two smaller tanks were both 100% live sand from the ocean, purchased from vendors.

The 200 started with 100% live sand from a vendor, but I ended up mixing some Special Grade and calcium reactor media in a couple places which were high flow cross sections and kept going bare. It did not work as well as I had hoped, because the sand sifted, but it was ultimately covered.

 

[SeaWolf95]

TBS any day . I would never order from GLR again. I made the mistake of ordering from GLR...the jerk went to ship it knowing full well his area was having bad weather it was delayed and i got it days later all mostly black like this . I contacted GLR and they basically said sucks for you i cant control what happens with UPS buy more and i'll throw in something exra...LOL that was his response. CHARGE BACK. I won as the fool didnt even bother fighting it.. Ordered from TBS right from the bucket into the tank no issues

Look how black this rock was from GLR, right into the trash. Told my CC company it was a biohazard and had such a foul smell dont know why ups even delivered it.

 

[Subsea]

Bringing this thread back, but not for a debate over which company is better. My question to those who have purchased live sand from either or both is how fine is the grain? Is it ok for sand sifting fish??

And how do people feel mixing some of this truly live sand with Special Grade Arag-Alive?

Yes, diver collected live sand is ok for sand shifting fish.

With respect to using Special Grade Arag-Alive, I don’t see the point of paying more money to get wet sand & bacteria called Arag Alive when diver collected live sand has micro fauna & fana

 

[Gulf Live Rock]

Bringing this thread back, but not for a debate over which company is better. My question to those who have purchased live sand from either or both is how fine is the grain? Is it ok for sand sifting fish??

And how do people feel mixing some of this truly live sand with Special Grade Arag-Alive?

The grain is thicker and heavier than a bagged sand. This is good because it does not get blown around by your power heads like the finer grain bagged sand. Yes, it is suitable for sand sifting fish and wrasse.

 

[corosato]

Bringing this thread back, but not for a debate over which company is better. My question to those who have purchased live sand from either or both is how fine is the grain? Is it ok for sand sifting fish??

And how do people feel mixing some of this truly live sand with Special Grade Arag-Alive?

I've gotten some sand from tbs and it was very much mixed grain, but should be fine for most sand sifters

 

[BryanM]

Any reason to choose one over the other? Will a seed amount be worth the cost?

No reason, personal preference, general color between the two (to me) looks different, but both are great.

 

[DmitryB]

No reason, personal preference, general color between the two (to me) looks different, but both are great.

What about mixing the two? I saw someone suggest it above (or maybe in a different thread.) Any real benefit you think?

 

[BryanM]

What about mixing the two? I saw someone suggest it above (or maybe in a different thread.) Any real benefit you think?

I doubt there would be any major benefit.

 

[Subsea]

What about mixing the two? I saw someone suggest it above (or maybe in a different thread.) Any real benefit you think?

Because my goal is biodiversity of micro fauna & fana, I get some diver collected live sand with diver collected live rock. I always maximize diver collected live rock.

 

[Subsea]

The grain is thicker and heavier than a bagged sand. This is good because it does not get blown around by your power heads like the finer grain bagged sand. Yes, it is suitable for sand sifting fish and wrasse.

Dan,
I appreciated the micro starfish that came in with live sand. I have also VERY MUCH appreciated Grunge from GLR. It reminded me of GARF Grunge, from a LONG time ago.

@Gulf Live Rock
Can you expound on your affiliation with Geothermal Aqua Research Foundation?