Substrate or Live Sand

[Cicio]

I bought a second hand tank three weeks ago and I am completely new to the whole salt water fun. I have substrate in my tank and was told by a friend that I should get live sand. I want to eventually make it a reef tank and he says I will need live sand when I get that far. I am not sure what the main differences are and why it is suggested that I get Live Sand and instead of Substrate. My substrate seems to be fine, it is full of feather duster worms. Please teach me!

[amike5]

If what you have in there is sand, it's ok. If not, get rid of it. It doesn't matter if it's live sand or not if you have live rock. Your sand will become live with LR.

[Sk8r]

Your sand will come live, and if it has feather duster worms it IS live already. DON'T get sold crushed coral. Ordinarily I'd say don't use old sand---you don't know where that's been---or what's been in it---but if it's supporting healthy marine organisms, it's fine as is. Aragonite from CaribSea, fine grade, is a very good substrate, and you can gradually change out your sand by gridding off your tank and replacing bit at a time, but that's a lot of work for something that seems to be going all right already.

No difference, the substrate for a reef or for a marine fish tank. Aragonite is better, but some reefers go with no sand at all. I like sand: it gives the little critters somewhere to be.

[JohnF]

I only use live sand, but others use a combination.
You may be fine with what you have now. A picture would be worth a thousand words.

[rustybucket145]

the word substrate can be used to describe pretty much anything you put on the bottom of a tank. So the poll, live sand or substrate doesn't really mean anything b/c sand is substrate but not all substrate is sand.

does that make sense? Also you really don't have to start off with live sand. Regular sand from home depot or lowes is a fraction of the cost and will become live very quickly in your tank.

[D-Rod]

CICIO,
You're forgiven I see this is only your fourth post, keep on posting and read this http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...readid=1031074

and ask questions on what you don't understand.

[Cicio]

What is live san exacly? I was told that it is crushed coral? My tank has pritty much little rocks and some sand I was told it was all substrate. I would send a pic but I am at work

[drummereef]

Originally posted by Cicio
What is live san exacly? I was told that it is crushed coral? My tank has pritty much little rocks and some sand I was told it was all substrate. I would send a pic but I am at work

Live sand is sand that has been in an established system, that is full of life. Crushed coral is a type of substrate, not usually recommended because it traps detritus and causes nitrate issues. Substrate is a general term for the 'sand bottom' in your tank. Most use a fine aragonite as it doesn't easily trap detritus and harbors good nitrifying bacteria. Caribsea makes good aragonite substrates - Aragamax Select and Fiji Pink are both of quality.

[VegasJay]

Not sure of the protocol of positing- new to the hobby myself, but what kind of sand is safe from HD. Read all about the famous, but now gone, Southdown. Silica or not silica. Bought a bag of Quickcrete playsand, good color, grain size and variation. Added vinegar, no fizz. Good or bad?

[drummereef]

No vinegar usually means silica sand. If it bubbles, you have aragonite. I prefer aragonite sand for substrates, but the jury is out on silica based substrates. Success has been documented either way.