Make your own live sand in 24 hours

[Aquaforest]

What if we told you, that you can make live sand in 24 hours?
AF Bio Sand is a natural white sand derived from the highest quality deposits. It is free of any contaminants and its calcium carbonate content helps to stabilize water chemistry. The latest technology in AF Bio Sand significantly accelerates the maturation process of an aquarium, and allows faster livestock addition in a newly set up tank.

Why is it so great?
➡Faster livestock addition
➡Accelerated maturation & easy aquarium start-up
➡Crystal-white sand
➡Bacteria settlement after only 24 hours
➡Helps to maintain stable pH level

So, if you want to accelerate maturation process and get your tank inhabited much faster, it's a perfect solution. Moreover, unlike the live sand - it's free of hitchhikers!

How to use it?
Pour the contents of both bottles from the set (bacteria and nourishment) into 3 liters of saltwater, mix thoroughly, add to the sand bag and leave for 24 hours.

 

[Karen00]

I might try this when I get my build going. What is the max volume of sand a package of this works with? Also, does it have to be used all at once once opened or can it be stored? I'm planning to do a 5g so won't be using much sand given the size of the tank.

 

[Aquaforest]

Hello,
Please look at instructions at our website: https://aquaforest.eu/en/product/af-bio-sand/

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE: Sand residue emerges during the transport and it’s perfectly safe for your aquarium, though, in order to avoid water turbidity we strongly advise to rinse the sand in RODI water before use. Pour the contents of both bottles into 3 liters of saltwater, mix thoroughly, add to the sand bag and leave for 24 hours. In order to allow bacteria multiplication, do not close the bag. We do not recommend storage in cool places, as it significantly increases the time of bacterial multiplication. The optimal sand maturation temperature is around 25-28°C (77-82°F). After 24 hours the sand is ready for use in the aquarium. When using in a functioning aquarium, please add sand gradually into the tank (small amounts day by day), monitor parameter changes and observe the corals. Keep away from children. Product for aquarium use only. Not suitable for human consumption.

I attach table from bag for 3cm layer:

 

[Perry]

Sounds interesting, when will it be available in the US?

 

[Aquaforest]

Sounds interesting, when will it be available in the US?

First batch of AF Bio Sand already reached the US and the second is on it's way there!

 

[Tankkeepers]

Hmmmmm following along this is interesting

 

[TJ2Jay]

Why does the sand clump and form a rock hard layer overtime?

 

[bychance]

I used AF Sand on my new build. It is beautifully white!

I would recommend rinsing extremely well in a bucket. I rinsed in the bag, it is very difficult to fully rinse out the dusty particles in the bag. Also, one of the bags I had developed a leak, so I probably lost a good amount of the bio in the leak. No sand ever came out of the bag. I used a total of 3 bags, so I'm not to concerned with the loss of bio from the leak.

 

[jurgenph]

do you have a picture of the grain size?

and... i'm curious? why mix it in the bag?

can you add the sand into your tank and dump the bottles in the tank water?

when you're setting up a new tank, does it matter if the sand and bacteria spend 24 hours in a bag, or spend that time in the tank? why this extra step?


J.

 

[bychance]

do you have a picture of the grain size?

and... i'm curious? why mix it in the bag?

can you add the sand into your tank and dump the bottles in the tank water?

when you're setting up a new tank, does it matter if the sand and bacteria spend 24 hours in a bag, or spend that time in the tank? why this extra step?


J.

All good questions. Way above my pay grade

I wondered about putting the 3 bags I used into the tank and adding the instructed amount of water and the bacteria. It seemed like there was a chance that the water wouldn't be as deep across the bottom of my tank as it is in the bag. As I thought it threw, I decided smarter people than I developed this and I'd follow the directions. I think a typical 5 gallon bucket is comparable to using the bag.

I'll try to get a picture of the grain size. It may be difficult.

This sand as far as esthetics, is way better than any sand I've seen. Kills caribbean sea live sand. It is brilliantly white with a very light ratio of specks. I really like the look.

 

[bychance]

 

[jurgenph]

All good questions. Way above my pay grade

I wondered about putting the 3 bags I used into the tank and adding the instructed amount of water and the bacteria. It seemed like there was a chance that the water wouldn't be as deep across the bottom of my tank as it is in the bag. As I thought it threw, I decided smarter people than I developed this and I'd follow the directions. I think a typical 5 gallon bucket is comparable to using the bag.

I'll try to get a picture of the grain size. It may be difficult.

This sand as far as esthetics, is way better than any sand I've seen. Kills caribbean sea live sand. It is brilliantly white with a very light ratio of specks. I really like the look.

thanks for the picture!!

my question was directed at aquaforest though they should know.


J.

 

[Aquaforest]

do you have a picture of the grain size?

and... i'm curious? why mix it in the bag?

can you add the sand into your tank and dump the bottles in the tank water?

when you're setting up a new tank, does it matter if the sand and bacteria spend 24 hours in a bag, or spend that time in the tank? why this extra step?


J.

Yes you can pour both bottles into aquarium.

 

[oldmonk]

Does not look like its suited for bigger tanks, given the amount of flow we have.

 

[bychance]

Does not look like its suited for bigger tanks, given the amount of flow we have.

I have had to really tweak power heads to keep it from pushing sand around.

 

[oldmonk]

That would be really tiring and cummbersome thing once the corals grow and need for flow increases.

I was contemplating on this sand for my new build as it looks really nice, but now given yr exp i don't think i will attempt.

I am planning for multiple powerheads at reduced speed

thanks

 

[bychance]

I was contemplating on this sand for my new build as it looks really nice, but now given yr exp i don't think i will attempt.

It took a little work, but I am running 2 gyre wave makers and 2 power heads in a 14" deep lagoon. They are all running on reduced flow. It was cumbersome, but this sand is really nice and well worth the extra effort.

 

[oldmonk]

I am also thinking of something similar. 2 gyres on back wall , one on right side glass and one tunze with the stream rock on the sand bed facing upwards..

tank would be 60 x 24 x 24inches with water level at 22.5inches

Looking at 1.5-2 inch sand bed.

Btw how old is this tank? i mean have you tried ramping up the powerheads and see if the stand stay put?

 

[BurgerFish]

What is advantages of this sand? Why not use a normal wet live sand? Dry sand is always extremely dusty and impossible to clean it completely.