Live sand question.....

[alexmir]

I am looking to redo my aquascaping in 2 weeks, I am tired of my grey calcite sand, so going to white live sand.
I found a local guy selling 100 lbs of fiji pink live sand that i am wanting to buy. 50 cents a lb.It has been in his system for a year, and in a friend of his system for a while before that, so i know its very established.
Is there any problem buying sand like this from someone? I dont hink there is, but mabye some of you have had problems buying live sand from people....It is currently in a tank with live rock, water and an air bubble maker for aggitation and oxygen. I will be very careful not to kill the sand. Any other problems im not seeing, i think it would be much better than buying it out of a bag.

 

[florida joe]

The sand is not the issue IMO its what you are getting with the sand. Why is he braking down his tank? Any parasite or bacteria problems did he treat the tank with chemicals. And bad bug issues. Make sure you don’t get burned a bargain is only good if it does not come back to haunt you

 

[camanuch]

i agree 110%.. be carefull, be very carefull

 

[reeftheif]

Yes the common parasite ich, seeks refuge in sand. Just something to think about.

 

[florida joe]

Originally Posted by reeftheif
http:///forum/post/2580653
Yes the common parasite ich, seeks refuge in sand. Just something to think about.
Ummm with all due respect the ich parasite seeks suitable places to reproduce, substraight is one of them. Knowing the life cycle can help in eliminating ick from his purchased sand but you are right in that it is one of the things he has to take in to consideration when buying something out of someone else’s tank

 

[alexmir]

the tank he has doesnot have any fish in it, and hasnt for a while. So i am not too worried about the ich. I have asked him about any parasites he has had, has he ever treated for ich or with any kind of copper, and also of any pest problems hes had in the tank.
Also about why hes tearind it down.

 

[alexmir]

Would you guys recommend me "killing" the live sand if i am worried about any bacteria or parasites, cleaning it VERY well, and rinsing it. It would still be cheaper than buying bagged sand, i cant get bagged fiji pink sand 100lbs for 50$. I only plan on buying the sand if he has never treated with any sort of copper, or any other seriously harmful treatments.
I could then just use some live sand out of a local reefers tank that i could for sure trust.

 

[alexmir]

By killing it i meant air drying it, or rinsing it in frest RO water.

 

[florida joe]

All sand will eventually be “live” if left in your tank just as all rock will be IMO save some money buy bagged stuff and don’t inherit someone else’s problem