Live sand or not?

[edolan]

So I am trying to decide if I should use live sand or dry sand for my current build. I have read that some people prefer dry sand. Is there a benefit or detriment one way or the other?

 

[gffpm1247]

I just set up a 75 gal with live sand based on what I read and the recommendation of my local marine shop owner

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[gffpm1247]

Mostly for the bacteria it contains to speed up the cycle a bit faster

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[edolan]

I think it was Mr Saltwatertank in one of his videos said he didn't like live sand. I looked and couldn't find any explanation why

 

[paphater]

I think BRS talked about its benefits in one of the videos in their 52 weeks series.

 

[Pelagic_e36]

From my experience live sand does a better job of reducing algae build up on the sand bed during the initial startup of the tank.

 

[TYC]

Live sand that comes in bag w saltwater, has tons of beneficial bacteria and will jump start ur cycle. BUT the real Live sand is much more expensive than dry sand.

 

[AlSimmons]

Unless this live sand comes with pods, worms, micro brittle stars etc, I would just use some dry sand and save a little money.
From a bacteria standpoint though both the live sand in a bag and dry sand will be almost identical in about a months time anyways.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2x8xDdh4SQ

 

[HaKs310]

Ditto Simon's post.
I have done both before; current tank I went with dry because I had it on hand.

 

[ca1ore]

Live sand really is about the biggest boondoggle in the hobby ...... unless, you get the real stuff that includes the pods, worms, etc. Otherwise it's just bagged bacteria that will come in anyhow. OK, it saves some rinsing time, but this hobby is expensive enough without paying unnecessary premiums.

 

[scooter31707]

I agree with the statements made above, if it's not the real deal live sand, you should save your money and do the dry sand. It will become live quick enough.

 

[Frank H]

Can you share a link to this "read deal live sand?"

 

[billdogg]

Unless this live sand comes with pods, worms, micro brittle stars etc, I would just use some dry sand and save a little money.
From a bacteria standpoint though both the live sand in a bag and dry sand will be almost identical in about a months time anyways.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2x8xDdh4SQ

Live sand really is about the biggest boondoggle in the hobby ...... unless, you get the real stuff that includes the pods, worms, etc. Otherwise it's just bagged bacteria that will come in anyhow. OK, it saves some rinsing time, but this hobby is expensive enough without paying unnecessary premiums.

I agree with the statements made above, if it's not the real deal live sand, you should save your money and do the dry sand. It will become live quick enough.

What all of them have said. I've never used "live" sand in a bag. Dry sand can be hand for much less and does exactly the same job. I have seeded dry sand with a cup or two of sand from another of my systems to help things along.

Can you share a link to this "read deal live sand?"

Take a look at TampaBaySaltwater. From what I've heard what they'll have is some of the best around.

 

[Diana A]

get dry sand and add if you want Dr Tim's or Bio-Spira

 

[Rilelen]

Adding to the pile - get dry sand. If you can get a cup or two of sand from a fellow reefer (check your local club!), it's worth it adding it to your dry sand to get all the good little sand critters.