View Full Version : live sand question
i've done alot of browsing through the internet for live sand.
wheres the best place to get some? im planning on starting a saltwater tank, and i would need about 60 pounds of live sand. who has it for the cheapest and what makes some sands better than others?
is it possible for live sand to be bagged and sold in LFS?
also, wheres a good place to get some live rock for cheap?
thanks.
urmegr
02-07-2006, 4:15 AM
maybe - https://www82.safesecureweb.com/webaquatics/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=WAI&Category_Code=SLS
thanks, but i prefer not to order online.
the total came to like $56, and the shipping was $58 o_O.
water_baby83
02-07-2006, 2:03 PM
I know you said you prefer not to order online, but just incase you change your mind, here are a few websites I use all the time. They are reliable, and sometimes have really good sales.
www.saltwaterfish.com (http://www.saltwaterfish.com)
www.liveaquaria.com (http://www.liveaquaria.com)
www.intmarinefish.com (http://www.intmarinefish.com)
Right now the last web adress is having a sale on 6 types of live sand, and free shipping!!! But you gotta hurry because the sale ends tomorrow, 2-8-06!
Most of the time, I use west carribean sand. It usually has little bits of crushed coral bone, small shells, and fine grain sand. There are other types on there too, so check it out!
--Emi
jenBLKAROWANA
02-07-2006, 2:08 PM
Try ARAGALIVE SANDS.....By CARIBSEA, you should be able to find it in your local fish stores.
here is the web site on this product!
http://www.carib-sea.com/pages/products/marine/substrate/aragalive.html
Jen ;)
I3u11he4d
02-07-2006, 2:24 PM
dont waste your money on live sand.If you buy crushed dry coral sand and add a small amount of live sand (1/2 cup) from your lfs this will seed the rest of the substrate.do the same thing with your live rock,this will save you mucho denero.
thefishofdoom
02-07-2006, 10:22 PM
your LFS may sell live sand in a bag but ive never seen a bag of live sand in my LFS over 20 pounds and its like $16 here for a bag of 10 pounds i dont known exactly. but i think internet is best
DeLgAdO
02-07-2006, 10:30 PM
dont waste your money on live sand.If you buy crushed dry coral sand and add a small amount of live sand (1/2 cup) from your lfs this will seed the rest of the substrate.do the same thing with your live rock,this will save you mucho denero.
that stuff that is bagged with bacteria in it is crap
real live sand has more than just bacteria
it has a variety of life in it, including critter that stir up the substrate to oxygenate it
DeLgAdO
02-07-2006, 10:30 PM
dont waste your money on live sand.If you buy crushed dry coral sand and add a small amount of live sand (1/2 cup) from your lfs this will seed the rest of the substrate.do the same thing with your live rock,this will save you mucho denero.
bingo :grinyes:
thefishofdoom
02-07-2006, 10:41 PM
that stuff that is bagged with bacteria in it is crap
real live sand has more than just bacteria
it has a variety of life in it, including critter that stir up the substrate to oxygenate it
i agree with u it just has basic bacteria no worms no micro crustaceans in it.
QUICK,i need a fast response.
if i get CURED live rock. how long can i keep it until the bacteria and creatures die?
my 60 gallon has no salt in yet, but the deal ends tomorrow, so i think im going to order tonight. can i just add the 60 gallons of salt mix and dump in the live rock? or do i have to have the salt mix running for a while? or is uncured rock fine to dump in freshwater still, and slowly add salt?
DeLgAdO
02-08-2006, 2:47 AM
QUICK,i need a fast response.
if i get CURED live rock. how long can i keep it until the bacteria and creatures die?
Curing process of live rock for the new aquarium that does NOT contain fish, corals, or any other marine animals. :thumbsup:
Live rock may be used to cycle a new marine aquarium. Follow the manufacturer's directions on the installation of all filtration devices and accessories. Fill aquarium with water and add salt to achieve the desired specific gravity of 1.023-1.025. Activate all filtration equipment, check for leaks, and set heater and/or chiller to the desired temperature of 72-78°F.
Rinse each piece of live rock in a small bucket of saltwater to remove any loose organic matter, debris, or sand.
Place live rock into the aquarium to create a stable foundation for corals or decorations.
Keep the lighting system off during the cycling period in order to reduce the likelihood of undesirable algae growth.
Scrub the rocks periodically with a new nylon bristle brush or toothbrush to remove any white film or dead material.
Perform 50% water changes weekly while siphoning out any organic matter and loose debris that accumulates at the bottom of the aquarium.
Check the ammonia and nitrite levels in the aquarium weekly.
When both the ammonia and nitrite levels are zero, perform a 50% water change on the aquarium.
After 24 hours, check the pH of the water and adjust as needed to achieve the desired level of 8.1-8.4.
Depending on the equipment that is installed, most aquariums will cycle within 2-4 weeks using this technique
DeLgAdO
02-08-2006, 2:52 AM
QUICK,i need a fast response.
can i just add the 60 gallons of salt mix and dump in the live rock? or do i have to have the salt mix running for a while? or is uncured rock fine to dump in freshwater still, and slowly add salt?
just fill it with freshwater and add the salt, stire it with your hand until dissolved.
dont forget to check the specific gravity :thumbsup:
THEN you can go about with the live rock as i said in my previous post :grinyes:
thanks. so i should order the UNcured live rock, and use it to cycle my tank?
i just spoke with the guy i bought my tank from.
he said the 60 gallon i have isnt suitable for saltwater??
its glass, and its about 48x15x18 (or something close)
he said if i put the 60 lbs of live sand and 60 lbs of live rock, and add water to that, the tank might break. is this true?
DeLgAdO
02-08-2006, 2:56 AM
thanks. so i should order the UNcured live rock, and use it to cycle my tank?
yea thats fine
but in an ESTABLISHED tank is when you want to get the pre cured live rock and finish curing it yourself.
you can go ahead with the uncured live rock since its going to be a new set-up
DeLgAdO
02-08-2006, 3:01 AM
i just spoke with the guy i bought my tank from.
he said the 60 gallon i have isnt suitable for saltwater??
its glass, and its about 48x15x18 (or something close)
he said if i put the 60 lbs of live sand and 60 lbs of live rock, and add water to that, the tank might break. is this true?
thats :bs:
the sand will be evenly distributed across the tank floor, so theres no pressure points.
as for the live rock
if you make sure you dont create pressure points on the bottom panel( too many many rocks/weight in one area), you should be ok
do you have a pic of the tank? how thick is the glass?
the glass is 1/4 an inch.
i figured he's BSing me , because he told me about a 65 gallon he's selling for saltwater lol.
its pretty good deal though, it comes with the lights and everything for $300.
heres a pic
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/983/img29543dp.th.jpg (http://img205.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img29543dp.jpg)
o ya, he also said like, i HAVE to get a tank with built in wet/dry filter o_O.
he said cannister wouldnt work because of some nitrate B.S.
i just came back from wes' store today, and he told me cannister is fine.
especially since i'd have live sand and live rock also.
DeLgAdO
02-08-2006, 3:14 AM
the glass is 1/4 an inch.
i figured he's BSing me , because he told me about a 65 gallon he's selling for saltwater lol.
its pretty good deal though, it comes with the lights and everything for $300.
heres a pic
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/983/img29543dp.th.jpg (http://img205.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img29543dp.jpg)
yep it will work :)
DeLgAdO
02-08-2006, 3:16 AM
so is this a fish only with live rock or a reef set-up?
just curious
im off to bed man
glad i could help :headbang2
night night :)
ill check this thread in the morning
paOol
02-08-2006, 11:32 AM
so is this a fish only with live rock or a reef set-up?
just curious
im off to bed man
glad i could help :headbang2
night night :)
ill check this thread in the morning
going to start off FOWLR, and eventually buy those compact lights and add some coral and anenomies and crap. :D
thanks for the help, i think im ordering the live rock tonight. the UNcured correct? and i can cycle my tank with it? or do i get the CURED live rock to cycle my tank with?
how long can i keep the live rock out of water for?
DeLgAdO
02-08-2006, 11:48 AM
going to start off FOWLR, and eventually buy those compact lights and add some coral and anenomies and crap. :D
thanks for the help, i think im ordering the live rock tonight. the UNcured correct? and i can cycle my tank with it? or do i get the CURED live rock to cycle my tank with?
how long can i keep the live rock out of water for?
yea, since your set up is new its ok to use the UNcured liverock to cycle your tank.