How Does Live Sand Benefit Aquariums?

Creating a thriving marine ecosystem in an aquarium is all about the details - if you’re a seasoned reef hobbyist you may already be familiar with these crucial details. One of the most overlooked details in an aquarium is live aquarium sand. Live sand is much more than creating the foundation at the bottom of your tank - it is a biological powerhouse that is key to transforming your tank into an epic marine display while also maintaining health and stability. 

Whether this is your first time setting up an aquarium or you are looking at upgrading your existing system, in this article we will discuss what live sand is, the different types of live sand, and how adding live sand is beneficial for saltwater aquariums. 

What Is Live Aquarium Sand?

Live sand is exactly what it sounds like - sand that is alive. Well, not the sand granules itself, but rather the millions of beneficial microorganisms that live within the sand. 

These teeny-tiny microscopic critters include:

• Bacteria

• Amphipods

• Copepods

• Other small invertebrates that create bustling micro-communities

These microscopic organisms are found in live sand as it comes from the ocean floor, so they have already established themselves in each individual grain of sand. When live sand is correctly collected and transported, these thriving living micro-communities arrive ready to work inside your saltwater aquarium!

What Is The Difference Between Sand And Live Sand?

The difference between live sand and regular aquarium sand comes down to one key factor - the biological activity of the sand. 

Regular aquarium sand is sterile when purchased so it has no beneficial bacteria or microorganisms and must be seeded to develop biological activity. Regular sand is typically less expensive, but it only acts as a decorative substrate. 

On the other hand, live sand is teeming with beneficial bacteria and microorganisms that immediately contribute to your system’s biological filtration. Live sand is fantastic at introducing biodiversity to your aquarium which is important if you have beautiful aquarium corals. While live sand is typically more expensive, it provides instant benefits such as actively processing waste from day one. 

What Are the Benefits Of Live Sand?

Building off the benefits briefly mentioned above, adding live aquarium sand to your saltwater aquarium offers many benefits such as:

Enhancing biological filtration

The microorganisms and bacteria in live sand break down harmful waste products (like ammonia) into less harmful nitrates via the nitrogen cycle.

Natural Buffering

Live sand (specifically aragonite-based live sand) helps maintain stable water parameters such as pH levels by slowly reducing calcium carbonate into the water. 

Reduction in algae growth

As live sand efficiently processes nutrients that algae consume, live aquarium sand helps maintain clearer water and reduces excessive algae growth. 

Source of micronutrients

When the microorganisms inside the live sand make their way through the life cycle, trace elements are released, which are beneficial to coral growth and other invertebrates like aquarium shrimp. 

Able to process detritus

The microorganisms inside the live sand actively consume and break down organic matter that settles onto the sand substrate. 

Creates more natural behavior

As live sand comes from the ocean, many bottom-dwelling aquarium fish and invertebrates will display much more natural behaviors when provided with live aquarium sand vs regular sand. 

Does Live Sand Cycle Your Tank?

Yes! Live aquarium sand can speed up the cycling process inside a new aquarium. However, there are a few things you should know…

While live aquarium sand introduces beneficial bacteria to kick-off the nitrogen cycle, it doesn’t usually contain enough bacterial colonies to cycle the tank on its own. For the best cycling result, we recommend using live sand as part of the cycling process - combine live sand with live rock and remember not to add livestock until your water parameters are under control. Most aquariums take at least 2-4 weeks to develop healthy biological filtration to support fish and corals. 

You may also want to consider adding bottled bacteria, however, always closely monitor the ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels regularly. 

Types of Live Sand

As most live sand comes from the ocean, not all live sand is created the same. There are four main types of live sand to choose from.

Manufactured Live Sand

Less biodiversity than naturally-sourced live sand, yet more affordable and sustainable. Manufactured live sand has a consistent grain size and appearance because it comes from regular aquarium sand which has been seeded with bacteria cultures. 

Indo-Pacific Live Sand

If you have ever dived in the Indo-Pacific region, you will be well-aware of the currents - this creates a slightly coarser grain size that is slightly beige/off-white in coloration. The Coral Triangle in the Indo-Pacific region is teeming with life, creating live sand that contains diverse microorganisms perfect for mixed reef systems. 

Caribbean Live Sand

The Caribbean is known for its  fine, almost sugar-like, bright white sand. This type of live sand is ready to use (no rinsing needed) with a high calcium carbonate content, excellent for coral reef tanks and other sensitive invertebrates. 

Fiji Pink Live Sand

Fiji live sand has a natural golden/distinctive pink hue making it very popular for display tanks. With its medium grain size,Fiji live sand creates a good balance between functionality and aesthetics!

Can You Add Live Sand To An Existing Tank?

Yes you can, but it requires some extra care. To help you out, we have the Reefco Aquarium’s team’s top tips:

• Rinse the live sand first with saltwater

• Add the live sand gradually over a few days

• Turn off all aquarium equipment - this includes and powerheads, dosing pumps, skimmers, and aquarium filters

• When adding the live sand use a cup and slowly tip it at the bottom of the tank - never pour from above

• Add the live sand before any water changes

Conclusion 

Live aquarium sand is more than just a substrate - it is a crucial biological component that is key to your reef aquarium’s stability and overall health. Whether you are a newbie reef hobbyist and setting up your first aquarium or are an expert looking to upgrade your existing aquarium system, incorporating live aquarium sand will provide your aquatic friends with many long-term benefits. 

Remember, the most successful reef aquarium enthusiasts think beyond aquarium equipment to the biological foundations that support marine organisms. While live sand may seem like a simple choice, it is often these fundamental choices that make the difference between overcoming challenges and a successful underwater paradise. 

If you have any questions about live aquarium sand in your specific aquarium setup, contact our expert team at Reefco Aquariums for personalized help!