how much live sand

[kenconnect]

time to set up a new 34g solana. my ? is how many lbs of live sand do i need to put in tank. i want about 1" sand bed

 

[KathyC]

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/calculator.php?tab=SBF

Try this

 

[kenconnect]

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/calculator.php?tab=SBF

Try this

its asking me Pounds per cubic foot? idk what that means

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

at first i used a pound per gallon and i got a little bit more then one inch. but then i added alot more sand so go with a little less then a pound per gallon for 1 inch then.

 

[fishman1069]

you dont need to use "live sand" Its a waste of money. Start with a non-silicone based sand and it will be "live" over time. Get 3 20# bags and go from there. You might have a lil bit left over for a 1" bed in a 60. HTH

 

[kenconnect]

you dont need to use "live sand" Its a waste of money. Start with a non-silicone based sand and it will be "live" over time. Get 3 20# bags and go from there. You might have a lil bit left over for a 1" bed in a 60. HTH

but every 1 tell me the fastest may to cycle the tank is with live sand

 

[Imbarrie]

There is nothing quick in this hobby that is worth while.
I would stay away from the live sand also and buy dry sand. Get a cup of sand from a couple matured tanks and get some CURED live rock.
That is the best way to go IMO.

 

[basiab]

Live rock is more important in cycling than live sand. I also have my doubts about live sand sitting in a bag. The only thing live to begin with was bacteria and how many days will that stay live in a closed bag.

 

[DJYoshi]

Live rock is more important in cycling than live sand. I also have my doubts about live sand sitting in a bag. The only thing live to begin with was bacteria and how many days will that stay live in a closed bag.

agreed. the ONLY live sand that I think would ever be worth it is Garf Grunge b/c it's in their tanks for basically since they started..they just keep seeding and seeding sand....

But I agree with the cured LR being more important than buying live sand..
without nutrients being pumped into the water...i'm wondering how stuff would even survive in bagged "live" sand.

If your friends are willing to give up sand from their tanks... that's a better look

 

[skene]

You really can't look at bacteria in a sense of well it needs oxygen or food. Bacteria can lay dormant in certain conditions. Look at bacteria that is put into specimen containers and frozen defrosted for research... frozen again.
Sure you may not have enough bacteria to support life immediately after introduction, but it will be enough to build on, probably within a shorter time frame.

I'm sure no one here has really looked into this, where they took a sample of this sand to a lab just to see if there is bacteria there. However I'm sure you would find some.

 

[Imbarrie]

You have a point. But. Do the advantages justify the added price and aren't we always saying the patient approach to cycling a tank is always the best way?

 

[kenconnect]

thanks guys.