Replacing Sand Bed

[mpcart]

I'm going to replace the sand bed in my tank with some CaribSea Arag-Alive sand. Do I need to let the sand soak in some water for a few days prior to using it or can I put it right in the tank?

-Mike

 

[capncapo]

Mike,

Don't waste your money on the AragAlive.

Just buy sand of a similar size. You can put it in your tank and within 3 days it will be as "alive" as the AragAlive. Save some money.

Letting the sand soak in water gets more bacteria going which in turn tends to make the grains a little "stickier" so you don't have as bad of a "sandstorm". I would do it but don't think of it as being mandatory.

 

[mpcart]

I didn't plan on getting the AragAlive because of the "alive" part. I'm just trying to find some nice sand without going on a Southdown-style wild goose chase. That just seems to be the brand that they have at the LFS.

Is there a particular type of generic sand that I can use? And where could I get it?

-Mike

 

[capncapo]

You pay a HUGE premium for the Alive part of the name.

Just go for the smallest grain size you can fine. Southdown was sold as "sugar fine" so anything you can find that is classieifed in that category would be fine.

There are those who will not put silica based sands in their tanks but as long as the grain size is appropriate it would work just as well.

There is TONS of info on the subject. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

 

[DrBDC]

The aragamax is the oolitic size just like the Southdown. I ordered 6 bags of it from drsfostersmith for 22 a bag, then it was only 13 bucks to ship 8 of them. 180 lbs cost me less than 1 buck a lb.

 

[rams]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9779872#post9779872 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DrBDC
The aragamax is the oolitic size just like the Southdown. I ordered 6 bags of it from drsfostersmith for 22 a bag, then it was only 13 bucks to ship 8 of them. 180 lbs cost me less than 1 buck a lb.

http://www.carib-sea.com/pages/products/dry_aragonite.html

thats what I want to try next "aragamax" but mix it with a few of the others, like special grade and some larger stuff.