live sand from sea

[hemiolopterus]

Hi folks,

I maybe going to the east coast in Malaysia next month. It will be along the beaches nearby Kuantan. Plan to scoop out some live sand from the beach. What do you guys think? I wanna use the sand to replace my current dsb. Any precaution needed before intro them into my tank? Anybody read/heard/experienced the process fo replacing the dsb with new sands (not exactly new as the sand is full with life and should be operational within 1-2 weeks after i put into the tank)? I fear that the replacement will disturb the tank N cycle with big impact.

Glad to get inputs from all of you regarding this matter. Thanks!

[X-fish]

I have no experience with live sand from the beach. Why don't u try putting it into another small tank (if u have a spare one) & put 1 cheap damsel with it. Add a simple filter like overhead. Sounds like a good experiment though.

Good luck & have fun.

[kelstorm]

Plan to scoop out some live sand from the beach. What do you guys think? I wanna use the sand to replace my current dsb.
how long have your DSB been inside your tank? what grade is the sand inside your tank? why do u want to replace it?

Any precaution needed before intro them into my tank? Anybody read/heard/experienced the process fo replacing the dsb with new sands (not exactly new as the sand is full with life and should be operational within 1-2 weeks after i put into the tank)? I fear that the replacement will disturb the tank N cycle with big impact.
i dun know abt that though.. but the sand might be polluted with chemicals and might harm the tank. similarly, if u really wanna try it, using a damsel is a bad idea.. use the test kits.. anyway, damsels are so hardy, that it might not reveal the true results after the sand had been added. if u must, add it to a separate tank, to be safe.

[hemiolopterus]

how long have your DSB been inside your tank? what grade is the sand inside your tank? why do u want to replace it?

My sand is grade 3. Wanted to get finer sands as it is not available in lfs. Plus i needs lots of fauna in the sand to be alive. MY dsb is not really fully operational yet cos no critters to dig around even though i got live rocks.

Basically the reasons for getting the live sand are i wanted more critters and finer sands. Say, does Singapore lfs has any live sands or grade 0 sands? I'm from KL.

Planning to quarantine the sands in another tank for 1 month or 2 for close monitoring. If my idea has more cons than pro, maybe i have to scratch this idea of mine.

Thanks.

[Spiff]

No.3 sand is ok.

but u hv to go much deeper...abt 5-6 inch to achieve anerobic conditions for the bacteria.

anyway no harm "quarantining" the sand in another tank.
No.0 sand is hard to find in s'pore but some shops do carry it.

[kelstorm]

My sand is grade 3. Wanted to get finer sands as it is not available in lfs. Plus i needs lots of fauna in the sand to be alive. MY dsb is not really fully operational yet cos no critters to dig around even though i got live rocks.
it is fine... no worries.. to get grade 0, u risk having them clouding the tank when fishes disturb it.. and also choking up your tank.. from the way i see it, not worth the effort..best utilised in refugium.. furthermore, it is very expensive.. something like $30 for 5kg???

Basically the reasons for getting the live sand are i wanted more critters and finer sands. Say, does Singapore lfs has any live sands or grade 0 sands? I'm from KL.
to get the critters, try getting live rocks.. usually, critters like bristleworms do tag along as freebies.

Planning to quarantine the sands in another tank for 1 month or 2 for close monitoring. If my idea has more cons than pro, maybe i have to scratch this idea of mine.
u can try but u might want to refer to the top statement i mentioned abt choking the system

[hemiolopterus]

but u hv to go much deeper...abt 5-6 inch to achieve anerobic conditions for the bacteria.
Currently my dsb is about 4 inches thick and the bottom 1 inch is anerobic as the sands are black and darker compared to the upper level.

to get the critters, try getting live rocks.. usually, critters like bristleworms do tag along as freebies
My dsb is in the refugium. I've read in an article bout dsb and it said finer sand is better and most critters from live rock are not meant to be in the sand. That's why I wanted to get as much critters as possible to make the sand as alive as possible. Relying critters from live rock may not be enuff.

What grade of sands are you guys using? If everyone here has sb or dsb with larger size sands and work perfectly, maybe I should not change my dsb afterall.

[kelstorm]

What grade of sands are you guys using? If everyone here has sb or dsb with larger size sands and work perfectly, maybe I should not change my dsb afterall.
me using #1 sand.. works just fine