In need of Live Sand-3reef Trading-3reef Forums

beansandmia · 08-22-2007, 07:34 AM

Is there anyone who is selling live sand for cheap? I need about 40 pounds or so, thanks much

P.S. I am in the Milwaukee/Waukesha area.

omard · 08-22-2007, 10:52 AM

To 3Reef!!!

40 lbs of live sand going to pricy from anyone. Why not just go with plain sand and seed it with LR or a couple pounds of live sand? --- Glad you found way here!

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beansandmia · 08-22-2007, 11:22 AM

I was looking through other post on different sands to use, but I did a search on Home Depo site and it wasn't finding any of them, what would be the best to use, I need it for a 20 gal tank, I have live sand in my other two tanks but not sure how much I could take out or need to seed if I went with other sand. How much LR would I need to get reg sand in good cond for a zoa only frag tank? If I used water from my two other tanks? Thanks for the reply!

amcarrig · 08-22-2007, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beansandmia

How much LR would I need to get reg sand in good cond for a zoa only frag tank?

None. Just take about a cup of sand from your existing systems and put it into the new tank. Adding "seasoned" water won't do anything. You'll still have a cycle

beansandmia · 08-22-2007, 12:14 PM

Ahhh ok, how long should I wait then to add my zoas? or doesn't it matter with them, only fish?

amcarrig · 08-22-2007, 12:16 PM

You'll have to wait at least 3-4 weeks for the tank to fully cycle before you add corals as they are very sensitive to the water fluctuations that are common with a tank's initial cycle.

beansandmia · 08-22-2007, 01:05 PM

ok, thanks for all the info!

coral reefer · 08-22-2007, 03:42 PM

As Amcarrig stated, you can make any sand become alive by just adding a cup or so of live sand from a mature tank, whether it be another tank of yours or from a friends tank or pet shop! It is definitely cheaper this way as well and will help speed up the cycling phase. Live rock will also speed up the process, but don't be sucked in by the rule of thumb of 1-2 lbs. of live rock per gallon water, as that isn't totally correct and is a thing of the past and will also deplete your checking account IMO!
Different kinds of rock weighs and is composed differently from the next as some is more porous than others etc.
Also, with the advection and diffusion processes, live rock is not necessarily better!

Tangster · 08-22-2007, 03:46 PM

I have several hundred pounds of it full of mini brittle stars and pods worms systems are 12 yrs plus coralline encrusted stuff 2.99 a pound plus shipping. Also you don't need forty pounds about 3 to 5 lb will get you off to a good start as a seeding culture.. We have fine and rubble also