capping LS with dry sand?

[Devaji]

just curious if any one ( prob. FW peeps) have done something like this.

capping live sand like the tampa bay stuff with a nice layer of ref sand?

reason i ask is I live the benefits of real wet ocean sand but love the look of my special grage reef sand. SOOOO I got to thinking.. I know it will prob get all mixing up in the end.

or one could seed the dry sand with the LS for a few months before setting up the the tank.
thinking about a small pico or nano.

 

[therootcause]

just curious if any one ( prob. FW peeps) have done something like this.

capping live sand like the tampa bay stuff with a nice layer of ref sand?

reason i ask is I live the benefits of real wet ocean sand but love the look of my special grage reef sand. SOOOO I got to thinking.. I know it will prob get all mixing up in the end.

or one could seed the dry sand with the LS for a few months before setting up the the tank.
thinking about a small pico or nano.

Eventually it all become live, but what I would do is choose the grade of sand that you want (even if it is sterile) and then seed with bacteria/cycle the tank. The biome will form and the sand will be to your liking.

 

[Devaji]

Eventually it all become live, but what I would do is choose the grade of sand that you want (even if it is sterile) and then seed with bacteria/cycle the tank. The biome will form and the sand will be to your liking.

yes for sure, was just curious if anyone had done it. you know just being curious.

 

[SliceGolfer]

When I started my IM40, my plan was bare bottom from the start. To help seed the biome and dry rock, I purchased a TBS Treasure Chest with rock and sand. I placed the sand in a plastic container for 6 months to help add diversity. Once I saw new sponge growth and signs of other fauna, I removed the sand. You could do something similar while keeping your preferred sand as the substrate long term. An idea, maybe!

 

[Devaji]

When I started my IM40, my plan was bare bottom from the start. To help seed the biome and dry rock, I purchased a TBS Treasure Chest with rock and sand. I placed the sand in a plastic container for 6 months to help add diversity. Once I saw new sponge growth and signs of other fauna, I removed the sand. You could do something similar while keeping your preferred sand as the substrate long term. An idea, maybe!

nice tank!
I did think of that option too. for my large tank I was going to add the LS to the sump. decided not to as I am QTing everything wet. can did not want to qt the sand. would be easy but just decided too.

IDK I already have 2 tanks deff. dont need another project but at some point I am going to fish out the basement in to a mancave/fish room so playing around with fun tank ideas.