live sand question

[chris_s9181]

i can order live sand from various companies online, the thing is i can not get live rock from where im at, i know i can order live rock on line but do are they the same both with benificail bactira? could i add live sand to old dead sand and months and months later become live/ do i stur up the old sand with tghe new or just let the new sit on the old sand or what do i do if i get any?

 

[Shep]

You do not have to use live sand or live rock to be honest but if you wanted to use live sand with dry rock, that would be fine. Part of the cycling process is the bacteria growing and creating a biological filter, this is part of what makes the rock and sand "live".

 

[chris_s9181]

if i didnt use either how would the bactira come from?

 

[thinktank]

I purchased live sand from Petco (on sale), or you can go with Dr. Foster and Smith (usually decent price). However, if you go with live sand, live rock is overkill. You really don't *need* either, but if you absolutely want one or the other, go with live sand (cheaper) and you can find 50lbs of dead rock on Amazon for around $30-50 (awesome price).

if i didnt use either how would the bactira come from?

The bacteria are present in most organisms. If you start with all dead sand/rock, throw in some ammonia from a hardware store, you'd probably never see a true cycle. However, if you cycle with dead shrimp or fish food, the bacteria will be present in those things and propagate from there.

At least, this is my understanding of it.

 

[DED65]

if i didnt use either how would the bactira come from?

Bacteria are everywhere. A lot of the world is made up of water and the wind currents carry algae and bacteria everywhere. As soon as they find somewhere to grow, they will. It may take a little longer to get populations growing, but if you provide the water and an ammonia source you will start the cycle. You will also provide a home for the algae!