Arag-Alive! Sand
- Thread starter Greg129
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cwegescheide
YOU have been ignored!
WARNING... I used Arag-Alive aragonite sand and it TURNED TO STONE in my tank... I did not mix it with any other sand. I have a shallow sand bed. I think 75lbs or so in my 90.
I heard high alk can do this. Initially my alk was a little high 4.8 meq/l or so when I first setup my tank. Now its always between 3.0 and 4 meq/l as per Randy's reccomendations.
Chris
I heard high alk can do this. Initially my alk was a little high 4.8 meq/l or so when I first setup my tank. Now its always between 3.0 and 4 meq/l as per Randy's reccomendations.
Chris
Alaskan Reefer
New member
Buy The Dry
It's a decent product if you're impatient with cycling the tank, but otherwise a waste.
It's a decent product if you're impatient with cycling the tank, but otherwise a waste.
I had bought both dry and arag-alive about 5 days ago. I just want to know which to choose. I have fully cured live rock from a previous steup so I don't need to worry about a cycle. I tested my water with a kit and everything was perfect. I'm going to double check the water at the fish store though.
If the arag-alive is going to turn to stone, I don't want to use it. I plan on having a rather shallow sandbed of 1.5".
If the arag-alive is going to turn to stone, I don't want to use it. I plan on having a rather shallow sandbed of 1.5".
Alaskan Reefer
New member
With a fairly shallow bed, the grain size in the sand is going to be more important than what type it is (alive or dry). Once (if) you get the flow amped up to 30X+ turnover, you will want larger grain size. Plus, with a shallow bed, you need to siphon with water changes at times -- very fine sand will just get siphoned out whereas something a little larger will suspend in the tube and fall back. Just another thought. 
integlikewhoa
New member
Use the live. Doesnt matter live or dry a high alk with brakedown either one. Use the live and put this to rest.
Alaskan Reefer
New member
Greg -- not necessarily large, but not Southdown either. I find that the Carib Sea "Reef Sand" works just right -- can't quite siphon it out, and it holds up decently against my pair of Tunzes.
As far as the turning to stone, integlikewhoa has it right on the money -- very high alk has the same effect on live or dead sand.
As far as the turning to stone, integlikewhoa has it right on the money -- very high alk has the same effect on live or dead sand.
Alaskan Reefer
New member
Hahaha. Just use what you bought, the reality is that it doesn't amount to much of a difference unless you're just starting a tank. Hence, Arag-Alive is only worth the money if you're impatient. If you can take it back, trade it in for some cheaper dry stuff -- it will be the same thing in a month anyway.
Seriously, all I think that matters is that you get a good grain size for what your plans are, and given that you want a shallow bed you want it small enough to not collect too much detritus, but large enough to not get sucked out when you siphon.
Pods, worms, and so on will end up in the sand soon enough anyway just moving from your live rock and multiplying.
So, one more time, don't waste your cash on live sand.
Seriously, all I think that matters is that you get a good grain size for what your plans are, and given that you want a shallow bed you want it small enough to not collect too much detritus, but large enough to not get sucked out when you siphon.
Pods, worms, and so on will end up in the sand soon enough anyway just moving from your live rock and multiplying.
So, one more time, don't waste your cash on live sand.
Alaskan Reefer
New member
Generally, it's best to put the LR directly on the glass and surround it with sand. You lose LR height, but you lessen the chances of a sand digging critter burrowing and then giving you a rockslide which could break the glass if bad enough. If you somehow connect or support your LR (most of mine all sits on PVC stands for a few reasons), it doesn't really matter so you may as well put it on top of the sand completely to maximize it.
integlikewhoa
New member
Yup put the rock on the bottom. I usally put 1 layer of base rock. Then put in the sand all around the rock. (if you only put the bottom layer you can still get behind the rock) Then pile the rock up higher. Then you can add the water. Now if the water is added slowly to the rock or on top of a trash bag or something you can do this without creating much of a sand storm. You should be set.
143gadgets
New member
Go bare-bottom and you wont have to worry aboiut it....
Jus joking. I think a mixtue on both is great, but I wouldn't worry too much about it. It will become live before you know it.
Jus joking. I think a mixtue on both is great, but I wouldn't worry too much about it. It will become live before you know it.
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