Arag Alive?
- Thread starter Guyerson
- Start date
drummereef
Team RC
Yep, waste of money!!! It's basically an ammonia mess inside those bags. Imagine the amount of die off there is from stuff just fermenting in those bags on the shelf at the LFS. The smell was horrible and I should have know better not to use it, but it was years ago and I didn't know better. 
It caused a massive cycle too. Luckily I had all my inhabitants QT'd before I did that or it would have been baaaaaad news.
DRY aragonite sand is the only way to go. :thumbsup:
It caused a massive cycle too. Luckily I had all my inhabitants QT'd before I did that or it would have been baaaaaad news. DRY aragonite sand is the only way to go. :thumbsup:
jenglish
Marquis de Carabas
THat would make sense. I would also think black sand would basorb more light versus white reflecting some back to the corals. Never had any myself. Somebody once gave me about 20# of black sand but it was so full of detritus that I threw it out.
I personally like fine oolitic aragonite sand topped with seaflor special grade. You get the fine sized for surface area and the Seaflor handles higher flow without duning. Be warned that layering sand gets unlayered if you deep clean it
HTH
I personally like fine oolitic aragonite sand topped with seaflor special grade. You get the fine sized for surface area and the Seaflor handles higher flow without duning. Be warned that layering sand gets unlayered if you deep clean it
HTH
Tadashi
Premium Member
The concept seems right, black would absorb more heat thus making the tank hotter but have not tested the theory. If heat is an issue throw on a chiller.
I prefer the oolitic white aragonite. I got a few bags of the Southdown aragonite playsand I have been lugging around for the last 8 years. The wife thinks I am crazy. I treat it like gold even though it was only $5 a bag. Not sure how much a 50# bag of aragonite sand goes for now.
When you decide with black or white then get a live sand kit. Make sure it is not bioactive sand but true live sand with macrolife (pods, worms, stars, etc).
I prefer the oolitic white aragonite. I got a few bags of the Southdown aragonite playsand I have been lugging around for the last 8 years. The wife thinks I am crazy. I treat it like gold even though it was only $5 a bag. Not sure how much a 50# bag of aragonite sand goes for now.
When you decide with black or white then get a live sand kit. Make sure it is not bioactive sand but true live sand with macrolife (pods, worms, stars, etc).
Yeah, I have the white aragonite in my existing tank, I just figured it might be neat to try something different. It's funny you say your wife thinks your crazy, I get the same thing from my other half...
What do you suggest for a live sand kit? I'm not worried about cycle time or anything like that since this is a new project and I'm not transfering any livestock from my existing reef. My plan is to let it sit with live rock and sand for several months before adding any fish or coral.
What do you suggest for a live sand kit? I'm not worried about cycle time or anything like that since this is a new project and I'm not transfering any livestock from my existing reef. My plan is to let it sit with live rock and sand for several months before adding any fish or coral.
zooty
Fish Warden
My nano has black sand and it runs cooler than our tank with white sand so I'm not sure if the theory actually applies in real world situations. But it sounds good.
Anyway the only problem we have had with the black sand is the magnetic particles in it. Ours is the Carib-Sea brand and I have heard that the other brand (Arag I think?) does not have magnetic stuff
Anyway the only problem we have had with the black sand is the magnetic particles in it. Ours is the Carib-Sea brand and I have heard that the other brand (Arag I think?) does not have magnetic stuff
luther1200
Premium Member
I have used the Arag-Alive a few times, and I never had it smell or anything like that. I actually like it because you don't have to rinse it. I actually just added about 5-7lbs this weekend to my current tank, with zero issues,FWIW.
Tadashi
Premium Member
You can get the bio-active sand and seed it with your LR and critters from Indo Pacific Sea Farms (www.ipsf.com). I got stuff from them a long time ago (8 years ago). It will definitely get your micro life going with clams, stars, worms, and pods.
demonboy369
New member
I used caribsea and it didnt smell. It was nice and moist. I didnt have any clouding when added to the tank. My cycle came from uncured rocks.
I mean I can see where ammonia could come from in the bag. But if you think about it its LIVE with bacteria. Bacteria that break down ammonia.
But Im not scientist. I just know its easier to use but more expensive. The ease of use and the cleanliness is the only true pro you get with it.
Now on black I havent used it but I think it makes the corals color pop. But thats from contrast, I believe they actually receive less reflective light. Ive seen a few gorgeous tanks with black sand that was thriving but you have to stay on top of it because detritus really stands out.
I mean I can see where ammonia could come from in the bag. But if you think about it its LIVE with bacteria. Bacteria that break down ammonia.
But Im not scientist. I just know its easier to use but more expensive. The ease of use and the cleanliness is the only true pro you get with it.
Now on black I havent used it but I think it makes the corals color pop. But thats from contrast, I believe they actually receive less reflective light. Ive seen a few gorgeous tanks with black sand that was thriving but you have to stay on top of it because detritus really stands out.
I only use Arag-alive sand. I've never had anything but excellent results. I've even added 40# of the sand to my existing tank, and never had a cycle or any issues. I'd absolutely use it! As for black, I don't think I'd personally like it in my tank, but it would be kinda cool to see a picture of how it looks. Who knows, might be pretty sweet to look at.
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