Real Live Sand - Where to Buy

[Alexander1312]

Does anyone know another vendor where to buy real (ocean) live sand from?

The ladies from Tampa Bay seem to have been impacted by the Hurricane, and I do not know anyone else who has been selling this in larger quantities.

 

[Darkxerox]

I couldn't find any actually, everyone is out of stock, probably all Gulf companies.

 

[MarcosDelgado0]

I tried to look for some too but no luck

 

[dswong01]

Amazon

 

[Srt4eric]

Is there fake live sand?

 

[MarcosDelgado0]

Is there fake live sand?

I think “fake” live sand would be like Carbiseas Arag-Alive Live Reef Sand. The sand that’s stored in bags with little water for who knows how long and is claimed to be live

 

[tribbitt]

I think “fake” live sand would be like Carbiseas Arag-Alive Live Reef Sand. The sand that’s stored in bags with little water for who knows how long and is claimed to be live

Has there been an Aquabiomics test on these kinds of bagged "live sand"? I feel like it's not completely dead, but that it's probably not as good as something like a single sump rock from an established tank

 

[MarcosDelgado0]

Has there been an Aquabiomics test on these kinds of bagged "live sand"? I feel like it's not completely dead, but that it's probably not as good as something like a single sump rock from an established tank

Not that I’m aware of. But Caribsea does make some bold claims with their description of this product.

 

[Alexander1312]

Has there been an Aquabiomics test on these kinds of bagged "live sand"? I feel like it's not completely dead, but that it's probably not as good as something like a single sump rock from an established tank

I am not a huge fan of getting rock from an established tank, knowing what could all be in/on the rock that I would not want.

 

[MarcosDelgado0]

I am not a huge fan of getting rock from an established tank, knowing what could all be in/on the rock that I would not want.

I’ve never gotten sand from TBS but I have gotten rock from them and I’ve found aiptasia on their rock. Couldn’t stuff come in on their sand as well?

 

[Alexander1312]

I’ve never gotten sand from TBS but I have gotten rock from them and I’ve found aiptasia on their rock. Couldn’t stuff come in on their sand as well?

Agreed, lots of stuff that comes with their rock too (mantis shrimps!). The aiptasia on it is not the typical aiptasia (forgot the latin name) - I have actually kept mine after finding out it was not the bad type - and it never reproduced. I got 10 lbs of sand from them when I had dinos. Cannot claim it worked, but it the sand had only good stuff in it (bivalves etc).

 

[MarcosDelgado0]

Agreed, lots of stuff that comes with their rock too (mantis shrimps!). The aiptasia on it is not the typical aiptasia (forgot the latin name) - I have actually kept mine after finding out it was not the bad type - and it never reproduced. I got 10 lbs of sand from them when I had dinos. Cannot claim it worked, but it the sand had only good stuff in it (bivalves etc).

Haha yeah I got a mantis shrimp in mine and didn’t even know until I gave a bunch of rock to @ReyDeFarts How the little guy survived without feeding for so long, who knows

I was interested in getting some sand for my new tanks but had no luck finding any. I did order some rock from Salty Bottom Reef Co since it seems like TBS is down currently. Trying to do as much as I can now to avoid the ugly phase… which I’ll still get lol but hopefully not as bad

 

[Alexander1312]

Haha yeah I got a mantis shrimp in mine and didn’t even know until I gave a bunch of rock to @ReyDeFarts How the little guy survived without feeding for so long, who knows

I was interested in getting some sand for my new tanks but had no luck finding any. I did order some rock from Salty Bottom Reef Co since it seems like TBS is down currently. Trying to do as much as I can now to avoid the ugly phase… which I’ll still get lol but hopefully not as bad

KP Aquatics is the next best bet, but have to be patient and be on their watchlist to have a chance.

 

[Darkxerox]

Has there been an Aquabiomics test on these kinds of bagged "live sand"? I feel like it's not completely dead, but that it's probably not as good as something like a single sump rock from an established tank

I've used it but mainly because there's less washing than their stuff. Probably just the flocculants they add. Would definitely like to see it tested.

@MarcosDelgado0 I think what you saw on the Gulf rock were curlicue anemones since I don't believe aiptasia are native to that area.

 

[MarcosDelgado0]

I've used it but mainly because there's less washing than their stuff. Probably just the flocculants they add. Would definitely like to see it tested.

@MarcosDelgado0 I think what you saw on the Gulf rock were curlicue anemones since I don't believe aiptasia are native to that area.

I think that’s what I got on the Salty Bottom Reef Co rock group buy that we did a while back, that wasn’t aiptasia.

What was on the TBS rock I’m pretty sure was aiptasia… I think. Although this photo was taken right after adding the rock to my sump and it’s been there for months now and I haven’t seen it spread. I actually don’t know where this particular one is anymore, I think it might’ve moved because it’s not in the same spot

 

[RandyC]

Give the Carribsea Ocean Direct sand a chance (not the arag-alive stuff).

Original Grade Ocean Direct Live Reef Sand

Orignal Grade Ocean Direct Live Reef Sand uses "Sea Breathe" technology to preserve the live sand in its own original ocean bacteria. Caribsea's Ocean Direct Caribbean Live Sand is a great choice for aquarists who are wanting a reef tank set up in minutes. Contains live ocean bacteria resulting...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Or

https://www.chewy.com/caribsea-ocean-direct-original/dp/174144?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20908059015&utm_content=160401460554&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADmQ2V0a0AB0tlRKstLkm1PAtF6kZ&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIy-TUgM_TiQMVXh9ECB0XSh9REAQYBSABEgJb_vD_BwE

 

[ReyDeFarts]

Haha yeah I got a mantis shrimp in mine and didn’t even know until I gave a bunch of rock to @ReyDeFarts How the little guy survived without feeding for so long, who knows

And he's still alive! His name is Neptune and is the boss of my IM50. He has grown quite a bit. We love him. And we have still have two others from @Alexander1312 , Ariel and Tajin! They are all awesome little creatures and fun to observe.

 

[derek_SR]

And he's still alive! His name is Neptune and is the boss of my IM50. He has grown quite a bit. We love him. And we have still have two others from @Alexander1312 , Ariel and Tajin! They are all awesome little creatures and fun to observe.

I've still got the one in my DT too!

 

[popper]

Have.you try half moon bay or santa cruz? Carmel have the cleanest sand.

 

[BAYMAC]

I think that’s what I got on the Salty Bottom Reef Co rock group buy that we did a while back, that wasn’t aiptasia.

What was on the TBS rock I’m pretty sure was aiptasia… I think. Although this photo was taken right after adding the rock to my sump and it’s been there for months now and I haven’t seen it spread. I actually don’t know where this particular one is anymore, I think it might’ve moved because it’s not in the same spot

Look the colored ring around the orifices. that's not seen on aptasia.

Have.you try half moon bay or santa cruz? Carmel have the cleanest sand.

I highly advise against using local sand, well, unless you want to battle diatoms.