Picking a sand

[harryggumb]

I'm not really sure if the type of sand to use. I was thinking about a live sand but I've heard mixed opinions. Maybe just put sand down with a few rocks and then a seed it with some more live rocks and maybe a cup of live sand.

[cgthebeast]

Def do live sand, helps along with everything. I've always done dry rock and live sand as live sand is less likely to contain hitch hikers and help seed the take and break things down. You also don't have to rinse for ever. I usually go with argonite too, I really prefer the look of it and it's not to fine

[harryggumb]

Originally Posted by cgthebeast

Def do live sand, helps along with everything. I've always done dry rock and live sand as live sand is less likely to contain hitch hikers and help seed the take and break things down. You also don't have to rinse for ever. I usually go with argonite too, I really prefer the look of it and it's not to fine

Okay that's good to hear because I was afraid of the hitchhikers. All ice been hearing is that they can just give you so many problems. If I used dry rock with live sand do you think that would be enough to seed the tank or should I still try and use some live rock as well to seed and begin the process?

[cgthebeast]

You'd still have to cycle the rock, live or dry but the sand should give it a boost. Every tank I've set (3) for saltwater I've done the live sand dry rock combo as when you cycle the rock becomes live. Live rock usually had Die off in it as its been inteoduced to air. I usually do a shrimp cycle, one piece of raw shrimp and a lot of candles to block out the smell but that usually gets the job done for the rock becoming kuve

[harryggumb]

Originally Posted by cgthebeast

You'd still have to cycle the rock, live or dry but the sand should give it a boost. Every tank I've set (3) for saltwater I've done the live sand dry rock combo as when you cycle the rock becomes live. Live rock usually had Die off in it as its been inteoduced to air. I usually do a shrimp cycle, one piece of raw shrimp and a lot of candles to block out the smell but that usually gets the job done for the rock becoming kuve

Really Shrimp? I've never heard of that. Maybe I'll give it a try

[cgthebeast]

Yup, one raw shrimp or serval tied up in a piece of pantyhose. Through it in and as it decays, your tank will cycle. Fresh shrimp or frozen works. I've always used frozen as it more easily to get from where I live

[evil_ryu]

I've read that silica 20 is a hit or miss it's like pool filter sand also read some people using play sand with no issue

[harryggumb]

That's an interesting way to cycle for sure. And I'm going to go with the lie Sand now just to decide if I want something that's fine or not

[Laeris]

Aragonite is preferred as it's thought to contain less silicates for algae to use. Live sand is great! I did my fishless cycle with pure ammonia (dilution) from Ace hardware. I can't see the point of stinking up the house when I can get to the point. Here, have an ammonia source-ammonia!

[harryggumb]

Originally Posted by Laeris

Aragonite is preferred as it's thought to contain less silicates for algae to use. Live sand is great! I did my fishless cycle with pure ammonia (dilution) from Ace hardware. I can't see the point of stinking up the house when I can get to the point. Here, have an ammonia source-ammonia!

Haha a very good point. Now how much ammonia do you used for the cycle?

[cgthebeast]

You dose the tank up to 5ppm I believe

[Laeris]

I went to 2ppm and built up from there. To figure how many drops to use, pour a gallon of sw and count the drops to get to 1ppm, then math for your volume, sans 1 gallon so you can dump the test water in. Yay for not wasting water!

[harryggumb]

Is a certain brand of live sand and salt better than the other or does it not really matter

[54seaweed]

you really don't need live sand , you can use either pool sand or play sand as long as they are silicate free , they are a lot cheaper and will become live over time , a lot use instant ocean , I myself prefer kent marine I also get a nice discount on the kent , there is nothing wrong with instant ocean , price is what I go after on salt
no matter what sand you choose avoid fine sand as it tends to always drift around looking like a constant snow storm

[Laeris]

Right? I used Natures Ocean because it had a lot of shells in it. The pistol shrimp likes using the shells for the tunnels. Saved me finding and cleaning stuff to put in for him.

[DisneyMatt]

Originally Posted by harryggumb

I'm not really sure if the type of sand to use. . .

If it helps any this is what I just bought for our new reef tank. I did a lot of research before buying it, and I think it will work best for what I am wanting in the tank. The only thing is you need to rinse it about 5-10 times before putting it in the tank. I prefer the look of Aragonite over regular sand, and with this being on sale it was a nice find!

Good luck! Be sure to let us know how it turns out!