What should I do for live sand?

[The deepwaterhorizon reef]

I am planning a 75 gallon tank and I want to start with live sand. I have already figured out my rock ( a mix of live and dry) but I want to know what live sand is best for me. I want to eventually keep sps and sand sifters (sand-sifting goby and possibly snails). I don’t which type of love sand is regarded as the best/most diverse/best looking and I don’t know how each responds to the heavy flow an of an sps tank. If anyone has any suggestions or information please feel free to post. Thanks

 

[crazyfishmom]

I bought 40 pounds of live sand from TBS (Tampa Bay Saltwater) and I’m thrilled I did. My 210 gallon did not go through the uglies at all. The amount of beneficial bacteria due to the surface area of all that sand is the likely reason for that. Rock is great but live sand is amazing to start a new tank with.

 

[The deepwaterhorizon reef]

Thanks for sharing! Let me see if they have more information about their live sand! @LiverockRocks can you help answer some of my live sand questions?

 

[gastone]

Agree with the rec for TBS. Have used them twice, 20 years apart and been very impressed both times.

 

[The deepwaterhorizon reef]

What do does everyone think of the other sand types? Primarily Carib-sea? Is there live sand good? Also how does the tbs sand respond to flow? Does anyone keep sand-sifters in it or know if it is suitable for them? Thanks

 

[TehBrainz]

What do does everyone think of the other sand types? Primarily Carib-sea? Is there live sand good? Also how does the tbs sand respond to flow? Does anyone keep sand-sifters in it or know if it is suitable for them? Thanks

I've used live carib-sea sand 3 different times now. No complaints. Right now I have oolite only, which is a first. Can't compare to TBS though as I've never tried it myself.

I'll be following to see what you go with!

 

[crazyfishmom]

I’ve used the Carib Sea in some tanks. There’s really no comparison. I still got diatoms and cyano etc in those tanks as part of the maturation process. I always try to have at least one piece of seasoned live rock that I add to every tank and that helps but the experience with the live sand from TBS has been amazing. It is very coarse so it doesn’t just fly everywhere. There are small pieces of dead coral in it. Tons of tiny rocks. Tons of shells, etc. it is not crisp white and has a slight grayish appearance. I blended mine with some CaribSea for the big tank because I wanted a deep sand bed and 40lb of sand is nowhere near enough for a 6 foot tank like that.

 

[steveschuerger]

I used Carib Sea Ocean Direct sand last time . No uglies

 

[Gman83]

I bought 40 pounds of live sand from TBS (Tampa Bay Saltwater) and I’m thrilled I did. My 210 gallon did not go through the uglies at all. The amount of beneficial bacteria due to the surface area of all that sand is the likely reason for that. Rock is great but live sand is amazing to start a new tank with.

Did you ship or pick up? If shipped, do you recall what air freight ran?

 

[crazyfishmom]

Did you ship or pick up? If shipped, do you recall what air freight ran?

I had it shipped but I also bought a lot of live rock so the shipping quote was fairly expensive. I’m also in Massachusetts so the distance makes a difference. I think it was around $250 for shipping alone. Reach out to the ladies, they are awesome and will help with getting you an appropriate quote.

 

[Gman83]

I had it shipped but I also bought a lot of live rock so the shipping quote was fairly expensive. I’m also in Massachusetts so the distance makes a difference. I think it was around $250 for shipping alone. Reach out to the ladies, they are awesome and will help with getting you an appropriate quote.

Thanks, appreciate it.

 

[Solo McReefer]

.

 

[The deepwaterhorizon reef]

Has anyone kept sand-sifters in tbs sand?

 

[crazyfishmom]

Has anyone kept sand-sifters in tbs sand?

Do you mean like conchs or gobies?

If so, I have a few conchs and they’re doing great. Very active. I don’t have a goby in this tank.

 

[The deepwaterhorizon reef]

I mainly meant gobies.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I've used wet gulf rock in the past and skipped about 18 months of torture. I am setting up a 400G peninsula next month and order 250 pounds of TBS sand. From what I read you can really have some significant flow in tanks that use this sand as it doesn't blow around. I've also added another 150 pounds of TBS stone to add to what I already have. I think I ordered way too much. I wonder what I will do with it...

 

[The deepwaterhorizon reef]

It sounds live the tbs sand couldn’t support a goby? Or does it depend upon that weeks batch of sand?

 

[crazyfishmom]

It sounds live the tbs sand couldn’t support a goby? Or does it depend upon that weeks batch of sand?

Why would you think that? I think a goby would be just fine in it. My wrasses deep dive into it no problem. If anything I’d think it would be the opposite.

 

[crazyfishmom]

I've used wet gulf rock in the past and skipped about 18 months of torture. I am setting up a 400G peninsula next month and order 250 pounds of TBS sand. From what I read you can really have some significant flow in tanks that use this sand as it doesn't blow around. I've also added another 150 pounds of TBS stone to add to what I already have. I think I ordered way too much. I wonder what I will do with it...

Extra tanks!

 

[The deepwaterhorizon reef]

How does your scape look with the tbs sand?