What Sand Name Brand is Best???

I was just at the LFS and purchased some Carib Sea Aragonite Dry sand in the 20 lbs bag. They say that this is a good buffer and Nitrate reducer. Is this a good buy for $21 ???? Also how to prepare dry sand before adding to tank? What's your opinion??????

 

If it's dry sand, just give it a really good rinse. As far as what is the best brand? I think sand is sand, as long as its not silicate sand.

 

Nature's Ocean Premium Marine Substrates, Is what I use, Get a lot of nice comments about my tank with the sand that i use as well, It is a finer sand however. I used it in both my 20g and 120g. I rinsed mine in a cotton pillow case before using it.

 

Just rinse and throw in. Well...maybe not throw. Try to keep the dust down as much as possible.

 

yeah use a pilllow case. it works really well. thats what i used too.

 

i used caribsea live-aragonite fiji-pink because it was on-sale when i got it from my LFS for $20 a bag. so for $1/lb i couldnt go wrong on live sand (yes i know, its not totally alive, marketing ploy for the most part, etc)

if i were to buy a large quantity of aragonite sand i would go with marcorocks.com sand. he sells it pretty cheap. theres plenty of places out there, but dont bother trying to find 'southdown play sand' that some poeople used. i found out that company went out of business two years ago and you cant get it anymore. (correct me if im wrong.. i searched like mad into that stuff)

 

i used caribsea for all my other tanks too. the cost was worth the lack of problems and reassurance that there was 0 Silicate.

 

I believe you're right about southdown going out of business, but I know a few places still have some in stock, but agreed hard to find.

 

I use CaribSea and really like it. And 21 dollars was a good buy. I got mine on sale for $19.99.

 

OK, I rinsed as explained and when i put the sand in a cup full at a time.........I am furious at the results!!!!!!!!! I can't even see my rock most less my fish.....if they live I will be shocked.......I am dumb!!!!!!! should have gone with my instincts and added dry.........bad advice dudes who said pooor it in......even carefully placing it in caused Havock. DAREN!!!!!!!