Live sand a scam?

[Spare time]

So according to Ryan at BRS, live sand, outside ocean direct, is simply sand that has been dried and sifted, and then with freshwater bacteria added, which doesn't last in a marine tank and can only help the cycle a little initially. Anyone else annoyed that the companies add freshwater bacteria to the bags?

 

[blaxsun]

So according to Ryan at BRS, live sand, outside ocean direct, is simply sand that has been dried and sifted, and then with freshwater bacteria added, which doesn't last in a marine tank and can only help the cycle a little initially. Anyone else annoyed that the companies add freshwater bacteria to the bags?

Is this something publicly or privately stated? Well, myself no - because I wanted the Caribbean White Oolite and it was only available in the OceanDirect Live option (I'm not sure there was a huge difference in price, to be honest).

 

[Spare time]

I'll link the video when I find it again

 

[Spare time]

Is this something publicly or privately stated? Well, myself no - because I wanted the Caribbean White Oolite and it was only available in the OceanDirect Live option (I'm not sure there was a huge difference in price, to be honest).

EDIT:


This is the correct video 26:50 minute mark

 

[rtparty]

Live sand isn't live sand. Only ocean direct is live.

We've known this for years. (I say we loosely and just mean those of us who have been around long enough.)

Always get dry sand and it will be live in a couple weeks.

 

[Spare time]

Live sand isn't live sand. Only ocean direct is live.

We've known this for years. (I say we loosely and just mean those of us who have been around long enough.)

Always get dry sand and it will be live in a couple weeks.

My concern here is that the sand uses freshwater and not marine bacteria.

 

[rtparty]

My concern here is that the sand uses freshwater and not marine bacteria.

If it helps with the cycle, then it does its job IMO. I've used dry sand every time I've gone with sand since learning live wasn't live and seeing how much cheaper dry is

 

[Spare time]

If it helps with the cycle, then it does its job IMO. I've used dry sand every time I've gone with sand since learning live wasn't live and seeing how much cheaper dry is

The bacteria supposedly can only help a little and people buy this under the impression that it is cycling bacteria for marine tanks

 

[Big Smelly fish]

Yeah really never believe the hype about live sand that comes in a bag and sits on a shelf for who knows how long.
I’m sure the stuff they sell from Florida coast is probably pretty decent if collected and shipped overnight.

 

[SlugSnorter]

So according to Ryan at BRS, live sand, outside ocean direct, is simply sand that has been dried and sifted, and then with freshwater bacteria added, which doesn't last in a marine tank and can only help the cycle a little initially. Anyone else annoyed that the companies add freshwater bacteria to the bags?

ocean direct isn't the only live sand. Its the same situation with liverock. Some is bagged and basically just dead, some is "real live sand".

 

[Spare time]

ocean direct isn't the only live sand. Its the same situation with liverock. Some is bagged and basically just dead, some is "real live sand".

There are other ones out there and I am going to start a thread asking people about their experience with different live sand brands that actually use marine bacteria

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

I normally rinse my sand before using it. with the ocean direct live sand, are you guys rinsing it? guess that would take away the point of it being seeded with bacteria.

 

[CincyReefer07]

I normally rinse my sand before using it. with the ocean direct live sand, are you guys rinsing it? guess that would take away the point of it being seeded with bacteria.

You wouldn’t rinse ocean direct, as you said, that takes away the point of what it is. Right into the tank it goes. I’m setting up my 310g with ocean direct

 

[PR_nano]

I used Fiji pink when I first set the tank up didn't rinse. I plan to move the tank Friday and order a bag of ocean direct. Not planning on rinsing it either and hope the filter floss, carbon and uv make the water clear at least by the next day.

 

[SlugSnorter]

There are other ones out there and I am going to start a thread asking people about their experience with different live sand brands that actually use marine bacteria

The live sand thats actually quality is the aquacultued stuff that ships from a few live rock farms IMO.

 

[Spare time]

You wouldn’t rinse ocean direct, as you said, that takes away the point of what it is. Right into the tank it goes. I’m setting up my 310g with ocean direct

I used ocean direct in my tank

 

[Spare time]

Yeah really never believe the hype about live sand that comes in a bag and sits on a shelf for who knows how long.
I’m sure the stuff they sell from Florida coast is probably pretty decent if collected and shipped overnight.

I like your username lol

 

[Dan_P]

So according to Ryan at BRS, live sand, outside ocean direct, is simply sand that has been dried and sifted, and then with freshwater bacteria added, which doesn't last in a marine tank and can only help the cycle a little initially. Anyone else annoyed that the companies add freshwater bacteria to the bags?

Not annoyed. I am resigned to the fact there are many bogus products in this hobby.

 

[Lionfish hunter]

So according to Ryan at BRS, live sand, outside ocean direct, is simply sand that has been dried and sifted, and then with freshwater bacteria added, which doesn't last in a marine tank and can only help the cycle a little initially. Anyone else annoyed that the companies add freshwater bacteria to the bags?

Live sand in a bag is a complete joke. If it does anything to cycle a tank, it's almost nothing. Plus you really want to rinse it out anyway. Rinsing out all the fine fine stuff is an absolute must. I've done both ways. Unless you want a dust storm every time the sand gets stirred up forever, rinse it. After 15 minutes in a 5 gallon bucket and a hose, the overflow water comes out crystal clear. And anything that was alive is likely dead, but there is basically nothing alive in those bags anyway.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I used TBS sand in my new build. Love it.