Arag alive = garbage

[Reef Frog]

I had the same issue as the OP with another well known brand (non-live) of very fine same during my set up 6 years ago. It happened despite rinsing it several times. The cure would have been using a larger grade of sand in the first place and spent more time rinsing. I just didn't know any better back then.

I was also given bad advice by my live rock supplier & used a water clarifier. Big mistake. A tacky film appeared ecerwhere but the water stayed cloudy for a long time. Don't use them. The dust eventually is attracted and immobilized on the surface of the rock but it can take some time.

 

[CL8869]

Seems I am finally cloud free, took almost a full week of messing with this tank, and tossing 200 gallons of salt water down the drain basically.

For FW I have always rinsed the sand, but this was the only sand I liked and it just so happened to be the Live stuff. Assumed when it said to add directly to the tank that it would be safe to go straight in. Did not realize what it would do. Next time I will rinse the crap out of it outside in a bucket like normal and just not care about the "live" part of it.

 

[SeattleReefer]

I added 40 pounds of the Hawaiian Black live sand to my established 40b tank.I did not rinse the sand first. I used a small scoop to add the sand slowly. The water was cloudy for maybe 20 minutes and I've had no problems since adding the sand.

The tank looks much better than bare bottom! The black sand looks great so far.

I think perhaps the bigger grain size of the Hawaiian Black helps alot with cloudiness.

 

[homer1475]

Seems I am finally cloud free, took almost a full week of messing with this tank, and tossing 200 gallons of salt water down the drain basically.

For FW I have always rinsed the sand, but this was the only sand I liked and it just so happened to be the Live stuff. Assumed when it said to add directly to the tank that it would be safe to go straight in. Did not realize what it would do. Next time I will rinse the crap out of it outside in a bucket like normal and just not care about the "live" part of it.

If you rinse the "live" sand in salt water, the "live" part will stay "live". Although I believe the live part is all hogwash.

 

[jstack]

I just used two bags of black sand had no problems no cloudiness. maybe you should do it right not drop sand into a tank full of water maybe not sound like a putz. as far as cost verse dry sand that you have to wash rinse for days I'd say its worth it to spend a couple extra dollars so I can skip the rinse.

 

[killinit123]

Seems I am finally cloud free, took almost a full week of messing with this tank, and tossing 200 gallons of salt water down the drain basically.

For FW I have always rinsed the sand, but this was the only sand I liked and it just so happened to be the Live stuff. Assumed when it said to add directly to the tank that it would be safe to go straight in. Did not realize what it would do. Next time I will rinse the crap out of it outside in a bucket like normal and just not care about the "live" part of it.

I don't think not rinsing it was your problem, like what was said before you cant just dump sand into a running tank whether its live or not. you could possibly do this with all pumps off but still not recommended. The proper way is rock, sand, then water as mentioned before.

 

[rvareef]

Do not rinse the oolite live sand, unless you are reusing it from another tank setup. your problem was adding the sand last, next time add it before water. If you are unable to add the sand first and already have water in the tank, you can pour the sand down a large diameter pvc pipe slowly and this will help reduce cloudiness.

 

[CL8869]

I don't think not rinsing it was your problem, like what was said before you cant just dump sand into a running tank whether its live or not. you could possibly do this with all pumps off but still not recommended. The proper way is rock, sand, then water as mentioned before.

I understand this. But it is very difficult to find a place to store 210 gallons of salt water to then dump into the tank.

It's done, I am over it, just won't be making the mistake again with that brand.

 

[heathlindner25]

I understand this. But it is very difficult to find a place to store 210 gallons of salt water to then dump into the tank.

It's done, I am over it, just won't be making the mistake again with that brand.

I've been using that brand for years, you did it wrong ,you tank got cloudy, suck it up

 

[UncleSalt]

I've been using that brand for years, you did it wrong ,you tank got cloudy, suck it up

.

 

[CL8869]

I've been using that brand for years, you did it wrong ,you tank got cloudy, suck it up

I did, with my siphon.

 

[fernalfer]

well as long as you understand it was not the brand it was the wrong way of adding it to your tank. This has nothing to do with brand. Just user error. Sorry it happened to you tho. I would of blew a gasket.

 

[gmlee]

Seems I am finally cloud free, took almost a full week of messing with this tank, and tossing 200 gallons of salt water down the drain basically.

For FW I have always rinsed the sand, but this was the only sand I liked and it just so happened to be the Live stuff. Assumed when it said to add directly to the tank that it would be safe to go straight in. Did not realize what it would do. Next time I will rinse the crap out of it outside in a bucket like normal and just not care about the "live" part of it.

What a waste.....

 

[JohnnyHildo]

i personally have never used live anything as i started off with dry substrate and rock but in general adding the sand (dead or alive) to an empty system first it would have saved you grief.
also, while filter socks are great using them to clear a completely clouded tank probably is a little out of their league. fliter floss is cheap and allows you to replace it as many times as you want without thinking twice about it.

 

[A.Astore]

I used this product before I knew better, and all it did was waste a little money. It's not that much more expensive anyway. I didn't pour it into a full tank though. There was some dust for sure, but no biggie. I cleaned the glass a few times and let it resolve itself on the powerheads etc. over a week or two.

You really need to research stuff before you buy it in this hobby. Like you mentioned using live sand for a dsb... I don't think that will work well at all. So maybe the silver lining is you saved yourself a lot of trouble there. Also, it's pretty common to have to buy stuff online, if you limit yourself to what's available locally you won't have many options. There's no way lfs can stock everything we need, especially for setting up a new tank

I agree with this. I also used this sand when I set up my system and had absolutely no major issues with it. I grabbed it on sale via Amazon and it was the same price as dry sand from other online retailers so I can't even say I wasted a little money. If you do it in the order of rock, sand, then water (which you add slowly) you don't end up with the completely horrible cloud. As someone noted above though too is you have to decide if you want to allow the socks to do the work or not. Considering that they are able to be washed though you aren't even wasting them, you just need to soak them a little longer. I don't know that this product is necessarily a complete waste of money nor completely desires the trash everyone always gives it. No matter what sand you put into a full tank with no way to control it going to the bottom directly you will end up with a decent cloud... especially without rinsing.

When I was in Virginia Beach I had multiple marine stores I could buy from but now that I am out in the middle of nowhere Virginia online buys are my only choice. I will say I enjoy having countless choices now rather than a limited choice. I would highly suggest opening your retail options if you have a narrow minded retail choice. Amazon Prime is my tank's best friend!