Live Sand

[MichaelBrock]

I see lots of discussion of the amazing live rock here but I'm wondering about the sand (I'm sold on the rock). Are you satisfied with the color and texture of the TBS live sand? I have seen general advice to get finer sand for reef tanks so that the "sand sifting" critters can move it around but clearly the texture of the TBS sand isn't so course as to prevent it.

What about the color? The TBS sand seems to be a bit darker than sand I typically see in reef tanks. Does anyone regret the decision to use the sand based on the color?

Thanks. The anticipation of getting some of this live rock is what's pushing me to get this tank set up.

 

[lionbacker54]

to me, getting TBS sand was critical. it brings a lot of biodiversity to your tank. lots of little critters and what not.

i wanted a deep sand bed, so what i did was buy a bunch of plain aragonite sand, and put the TBS live sand on top of it. seems to work fine.

 

[Madratter]

It isn't as white as some of the bagged "live" sand you can get in the stores. But in practice, it is reasonably white looking under the intense lighting you have in a reef tank.

Personally, now that I have it in the tank, I think it looks great. I like the varied texture and stuff. But if you want a more uniform sand, this isn't it.

There are critters and such in this sand that you will not get with the bagged products (assuming that stuff really is alive in any meaningful way. Even if it is, it is certainly has much less biodiversity).

 

[Mish1]

I love the sand. It is very natuaral looking and gives the substrate texture.

Click on the red house to see my TBS Package order!

 

[Yogre]

I did the same thing Lionbacker did, I spread about 1" of fine sugar sand then added my TBS sand over top of it. My sand bed ended up about 4" deep in most places. I have noticed critter tracks throughout the sand, my stand is open underneath so I can see the tank bottom, and there are worm tracks I can see against the glass bottom.

 

[noahm]

The critters have no problem sifting the sand. It is basically 1-5 mm mixed and very natural looking. If you want golf course smooth white sand, you will want something else, but this is loaded with life and very effective filtration.

 

[MichaelBrock]

I have looked around and I can live with the aesthetics of the sand as long as their are no particular disadvantages to it. Variety of life is definitely an upside.


Thanks all for the replies!