Tank fill

[arawona1964]

Good morning

My tank is finally ready and I have my NSW arriving Thursday this week can I put my live sand in the tank Wednesday or will
It have to go in just before the water does .

Thinking about the sand drying out etc or will it be ok for a day

Thanks

 

[fishywishy]

I’m assuming what you have is Carib sea sand or something similar. There’s barely anything “live” about it, so you can just rinse it very well and put it in at any time.

 

[Mark Goode]

Good morning

My tank is finally ready and I have my NSW arriving Thursday this week can I put my live sand in the tank Wednesday or will
It have to go in just before the water does .

Thinking about the sand drying out etc or will it be ok for a day

Thanks

If it's live sand, do not rinse it, unless you want to turn it into dead sand. I'm not convinced of the benefits of live sand, but if there are any, rinsing will remove them.

 

[arawona1964]

Thanks guys conflicting answers there.
I thought it contained live bacteria that’s why it’s wet Andis it ok to put it in a day before the water goes in
Thanks in advance

 

[Mark Goode]

Thanks guys conflicting answers there.
I thought it contained live bacteria that’s why it’s wet Andis it ok to put it in a day before the water goes in
Thanks in advance

Yes, it is supposed to contain live bacteria - and it probably does. I assume you don't have a RODI unit yet because you are buying NSW. So you would be rinsing in tap water, which contains chlorine or chloramine - put there to kill bacteria! Don't rinse it.

 

[arawona1964]

Thanks guys conflicting answers there.
I thought it contained live bacteria that’s why it’s wet Andis it ok to put it in a day before the water goes in
Thanks in advance

Yes, it is supposed to contain live bacteria - and it probably does. I assume you don't have a RODI unit yet because you are buying NSW. So you would be rinsing in tap water, which contains chlorine or chloramine - put there to kill bacteria! Don't rinse it.

Thanks

I have Ro water and NSW delivered monthly so I have both I def won’t rinse but can I put it in day before it’s first fill

 

[Mark Goode]

Thanks guys conflicting answers there.
I thought it contained live bacteria that’s why it’s wet Andis it ok to put it in a day before the water goes in
Thanks in advance

You should be fine putting it in a day early, it's unlikely to dry out that quickly.

 

[arawona1964]

Thanks guys conflicting answers there.
I thought it contained live bacteria that’s why it’s wet Andis it ok to put it in a day before the water goes in
Thanks in advance

You should be fine putting it in a day early, it's unlikely to dry out that quickly.

Appreciate your advice I’ve kept reef tanks before but always good to check
Thanks

 

[Moggs]

Hi I’m new here so not to clued up, I added live sand yesterday and the salinity shot up to 40, so it may be worth keeping an eye on.

 

[fishywishy]

Thanks guys conflicting answers there.
I thought it contained live bacteria that’s why it’s wet Andis it ok to put it in a day before the water goes in
Thanks in advance

Unless it’s from the ocean or established tank it’s basically dead. The amount of bacteria in the bagged “live” sand is negligible.

The sand is full of residue that will stay in your sand for a long time unless you rinse it well. Also yes, putting it in a day in advance is fine.

 

[arawona1964]

So best not use it then by sounds of it

 

[fishywishy]

So best not use it then by sounds of it

No it’s completely fine to use it. Just rinse it first

 

[Mark Goode]

.

 

[sgdnycct]

I think the conflicting answers your are seeing is due to the range of opinions as to how effective “live sand” is.

The Carib Sea product has been around for some time and makes some big claims. My opinion: its may have SOME beneficial bacteria but most likely won’t make a big difference.

True live sand (comes from various sources and is shipped fast as a live product) can be very effective for seeding your tank OR use as your sand bed. My opinion: depending on the source it could provide some huge benefits to your system. Particularly seeding over the years by introducing more variety into the biome.

While I think the value of the Carib sea is limited I would still save what I could. I wouldn’t add it until shortly before adding water. Much like the concept of bottled bacteria, opening the bag and exposing it to oxygen may kick off a live process. You want water and circulation going when this happens.