Alternatives to Tampa Bay Saltwater for Ultra Live Sand?

[Obriy]

Tampa Bay Saltwater ultra live sand has been delayed due to weather preventing harvesting and with new storm coming it will be delayed for much longer. Are there any US-based alternatives for ocean-harvested sand?

 

[Subsea]

Gulf Live Rock.com

gulfliverock.com

These guys are further south, outside of hurricane path. I like them better. If you are getting live sand, aAlso get some of their premium rock.

 

[Subsea]

@Obriy

I read your thread on BRS method. I see no reason to exclude using live rock from introducing micro fauna & fana. I use both.

Also, your use of the word pest, needs qualification. To some, micro fauna & fana are pest. How do you eliminate introduction of pest in live sand?

PS: when I operated AquaCulture Ranch I used bulk shipment option. First 100 pounds cost $0.80 per pound, afterwhich cost dropped to $0.40 per pound. This cost per pound includes live sand shipment.

Note: collection in the winter is very spotty due to weather. Collection during hurricane season is also spotty.

 

[baitrunner]

Gulf Live Rock seems to be "out of stock" for sand. These guys are running about a month behind on orders - https://www.liverocknreef.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=7929

 

[Obriy]

@Obriy

I read your thread on BRS method. I see no reason to exclude using live rock from introducing micro fauna & fana. I use both.

Also, your use of the word pest, needs qualification. To some, micro fauna & fana are pest. How do you eliminate introduction of pest in live sand?

PS: when I operated AquaCulture Ranch I used bulk shipment option. First 100 pounds cost $0.80 per pound, afterwhich cost dropped to $0.40 per pound. This cost per pound includes live sand shipment.

Note: collection in the winter is very spotty due to weather. Collection during hurricane season is also spotty.

Since I'm new to this, I'm still trying to figure out the best way to seed the tank. The issue with live rock is that all instructions recommend to have lights on when the rock is added to a tank and live sand recommendation is to keep the lights off for a month. It is difficult to choose whose advice to listen too while not having own experience.

My tank has been running for 6 weeks bare-bottom already and, as much as I want to try "live sand" BRS method, I'm not sure I should get stuck to it. I did purchase 5lb of rock rubble from KP Aquatics recently, but placed it on a filter chamber instead of a display section.

 

[Subsea]

Both methods work. I initially run reduced lighting.

On long term, larger systems, I run reverse flow undergravel filter: 80% dry aragonite and 20% diver collected live sand. Note: diver collected sand can be added anytime. Use as much diver collected uncured live rock as you can afford.

I recently got 10 lbs of KP Aquatics aquacultured rubble. While it is pretty, I do not consider this live rock as the best candidate for introducing biodiversity of micro fauna & fana.

 

[Subsea]

Not knowing how technical you want to get, I will link a scientific article that is peer reviewed on the science involved in reeeing.

DOC is The Most Important Parameter For A Healthy Reef Tank: Here’s a New Method to Manage It | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

In this article, I will provide an overview of my take on the current zeitgeist of reefing and explain why the entire industry is ignoring a critical aspect of coral care. I will explain what issues…

reefbuilders.com

 

[Subsea]

Gulf Live Rock.com

gulfliverock.com

These guys are further south, outside of hurricane path. I like them better. If you are getting live sand, aAlso get some of their premium rock.

I spoke with Dan Sanchez, diver/owner of Gulf Live Rock, a few minutes ago. He is reconditioning his boat, which was totaled recently in a wreck on the interstate. He will get back into operation for the middle of October.

PS: Hurricane is effecting his location at this time.

 

[Subsea]

Since I'm new to this, I'm still trying to figure out the best way to seed the tank. The issue with live rock is that all instructions recommend to have lights on when the rock is added to a tank and live sand recommendation is to keep the lights off for a month. It is difficult to choose whose advice to listen too while not having own experience.

My tank has been running for 6 weeks bare-bottom already and, as much as I want to try "live sand" BRS method, I'm not sure I should get stuck to it. I did purchase 5lb of rock rubble from KP Aquatics recently, but placed it on a filter chamber instead of a display section.

What do you want maintain in your reef tank?

 

[Obriy]

What do you want maintain in your reef tank?

I'm aiming for mostly-LPS reef with fish that the 50 gallon AIO will allow me to have.

 

[Obriy]

I recently got 10 lbs of KP Aquatics aquacultured rubble. While it is pretty, I do not consider this live rock as the best candidate for introducing biodiversity of micro fauna & fana.

Why do you think that KP Aquatics rubble isn't the best candidate?

 

[areefer01]

Live rock has already been mentioned and most of them offer rubble or sand. TBS, KP, etc. Both are quality products and small businesses.

AquaBiomics also offers rubble.

Indo Pacific Sea Farms offers rubble, mud, and a few other things (not live rock).

Your LFS may have something or a fellow hobbyist if you want to get a cup of sand and rubble.

TL; DR you have options.