Sand Bed Question

pgsonier · Aug 29, 2020

I'm looking into getting my sand for my new tank and I'm having trouble deciding whether or not I should get dry sand or "alive" sand with beneficial bacteria. I got a bottle of Turbo Start to seed my tank and help aid the cycle period, so my question is will the Turbo Start also help to turn my dry sand into "alive" sand? I'm also wondering if I were to purchase the "alive" sand with beneficial bacteria and use the Turbo Start on top of that, am I over doing it? Is there such a thing as too much beneficial bacteria? Just looking to get some thoughts and opinions on this from experienced reefers! Thanks in advance.

R.Weller · Aug 29, 2020

Dry.

Bacteria from the tank will cover the surface of the sand within a few days. If you buy alive, you pay for water & that’s of little value. Be sure to rinse the dry sand many times (6 - 10) until all the dust is out before adding to you tank.

If you want to boost diversity, take a small plastic container with a lid to your favorite LFS & ask them for some sand from a reef tank. You only need a small amount (8 - 16 oz) & time (a few weeks) for biology to do its magic.

Fishurama · Aug 29, 2020

I prefer live sand as it speeds the process and has a lot of beneficial bacteria. If you use the turbo start on top your risking raising nitrates and phosphates. Not a big issue if you dont have fish yet and can control with water changes.

Flippers4pups · Aug 29, 2020

I've always used dry aragonite special grade sand in my reefs. As said, in a matter of days it be loaded with bacteria.

Why dry? I like to rinse my new sand to remove all the "fines" (dust) from it.

Rjmul · Aug 29, 2020

I vote dry but I keep buying live because I like the little pink specs.

Idoc · Aug 30, 2020

i like dry for the reasons already listed. I like to rinse it clean in a bin with a hose so as not to have that major dust storm in the tank. Bacteria will easily populate as time goes by.

No, you won't overdue it with live sand and additional bottled bacteria. If anything, you may add increased diversity of the types of nitrifying bacteria... that's a theory of course since i don't know if anyone knows for sure if there are different types of nitrifying bacteria... or if they are all the same in an aquarium environment. But, it definitely won't hurt to add more.

Billdogg · Aug 30, 2020

I have always used dry sand as well. IMHO< the supposedly "live" sand that has been in a bag on a shelf for how long? is not worth the extra cost. If you'd like to seed the dry sand to give it a jumpstart get a cup or two from another local reefer or your LFS and use that.

pgsonier · Aug 30, 2020

Billdogg said:
I have always used dry sand as well. IMHO< the supposedly "live" sand that has been in a bag on a shelf for how long? is not worth the extra cost. If you'd like to seed the dry sand to give it a jumpstart get a cup or two from another local reefer or your LFS and use that.

That is a very good point! I got Turbo Start to use when I set up my tank, and the fact that it recommends for it to be refrigerated makes me feel more confident in the product.

HuduVudu · Aug 30, 2020

R.Weller said:
Dry.

Bacteria from the tank will cover the surface of the sand within a few days. If you buy alive, you pay for water & that’s of little value. Be sure to rinse the dry sand many times (6 - 10) until all the dust is out before adding to you tank.

If you want to boost diversity, take a small plastic container with a lid to your favorite LFS & ask them for some sand from a reef tank. You only need a small amount (8 - 16 oz) & time (a few weeks) for biology to do its magic.

Get whatever sand is cheaper and then get quality live rock. The rock will populate the sand.