Live Sand Question

[Qckslvr]

I got some live sand over the weekend. We are looking to fill the tank this coming weekend, and start cycling. We got some Dr Tim's, live rock from my tank,extra bio balls in my 30, etc. (BTW my tank tests pretty good).

The question is this. My wife wants to start aquascaping the tank. She has discovered the joys of Nyos Reef Cement, and I swear he wants to redo her fresh water tank now. Sorry got side tracked. Question! Once opened, and dumped into the bottom of our tank how long can the sand stay exposed to the air? Should a pour in like an inch or two of mixed water? Or should I tell her to exercise patience and wait until we start filling the tank this weekend?

Thanks

 

[Chrism1330]

I always wondered about this, but my patience always won as i rather have it done right then have to go buy another bag cause it dried up from opening and being inpatient lol which i think would defeat the purpose of live sand?

 

[Turkeysammich]

There are different kinds of quote Live Sand. Most of the sand is dead but there is a dormant culture in there. When you add saltwater it activates the culture. That’s what I was told back in the day. These are the bags on the shelf at the fish store. Nothing can be kept on a shelf for months and months and still be live.
The other live sand is one like Tampa bay. Where you get it shipped over night and it’s in warm saltwater. There’s a live culture and if it dies. It gonna stink.
Both sands you’ll have to cycle. The second one technically you can kill it. Bacteria that is.

 

[jamie]

i would just get a cup of sand from a reefer near you to. if your near brentwood you could grab some from my tank. i also got a ton of ruble in the sump. you can get a few pieces of that too.

 

[Qckslvr]

I shall tell my wife, patience is key here

We technically don't even have lights for the tank yet, but I shall save that for another post.

 

[jamie]

I shall tell my wife, patience is key here

We technically don't even have lights for the tank yet, but I shall save that for another post.

i wouldn't turn the lights on during the cycle. you'll just have more algae growth.

 

[clownvan]

Regardless, be ready for the ugly phase. I have a bag of dead sand that was PIFed to me and wondering if I should put it in my pico.

 

[andyman]

fill your tank with live rock from someone elses tank and you can skip the ugly phase. But you may get unwanted pest too like aptasia and asterinas.

 

[clownvan]

my pico already has some live rock. the only other living thing is a baby maroon clown. So you reckon I can just put in my dead sand.

Sorry to hijack your thread @Qckslvr

 

[Qckslvr]

my pico already has some live rock. the only other living thing is a baby maroon clown. So you reckon I can just put in my dead sand.

Sorry to hijack your thread @Qckslvr

It’s ok, I don’t mind a good thread hijacking

 

[Turkeysammich]

Whatever you put in an aquarium. If it’s not super clean and has dead bacteria/ crud, whatever. It will cycle. Now whether it’s a big cycle or mini cycle. That depends on how much dead stuff is on whatever you’re putting in the aquarium.
So whatever you put in let’s say a bunch of sand. And it was dirty. And your aquarium is cycled. It will recycle and can kill all your stuff especially if you guys have smaller aquariums.
Now if you have a large aquarium like 200 gallons. You can put a chunk of dead rock in the sump and your aquarium probably won’t even notice.
Ok. So what to do ? Cycle / cure whatever you want to put in your aquarium in a 5 gallon bucket. Then when it’s ready. Then add it.