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Live Sand Filtration

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Live sand is one of the most popular mediums preferred by saltwater aquarists as a natural biological filtration source, but it has many other purposes. From adding it to a tank as a shallow or a deep sand bed substrate, to using it in combination with live rock, to setting up a Jaubert/Plenum style NNR filter, learn all about what live sand is, how to cultivate it, and more.

What Live Sand Is, and How It's Used?

From what live sand is and how it is used in a saltwater aquarium, to what types to use and how to purchase or culture your own, add it to an aquarium and maintain it, your About Guides profile live sand in great detail.
What Live Sand Is, and How It's Used?

How Much Live Sand Should You Use?

Unless you are going to be using the Jaubert/Plenum method of filtration, excessive amounts of live sand should not be used. The sand bed becomes too thick, creating unwanted DOC's. Here is an easy explanation of how much Live Sand you will need for your tank.
How Much Live Sand Should You Use?

Purchasing or Culturing Your Own Live Sand?

How do you know if you are getting live sand or dead sand? Want to create your own Live Sand? This information will help you.
Purchasing or Culturing Your Own Live Sand?

How To Add Live Sand To Your Tank

Just dumping a bucket of new Live Sand in your tank isn't the best way to add it. Here is a better method which will not only keep the tank the way you want it to look, but also keep the critters in the sand and on your Live Rock happy and healthy.
How To Add Live Sand To Your Tank

Cycle a New Tank With Live Sand

"Live sand" contains vitrifying bacteria, which is the base of a biological filter. Cycling a new tank with Live Sand can dramatically reduce the time required to establish the biological filter.
Cycle a New Tank With Live Sand

FAQ - When should live sand or other substrate be added to an aquarium?

The big question when adding live sand or other substrate media to an aquarium is, do you put live sand or other substrate in "before" or "after" you do anything else? Acutally it's an easy decision to make, because it all comes down to using common sense based on how, what, and when you put items into the tank. Here are some example situations.
FAQ - When should live sand or other substrate be added to an aquarium?

DSB (Deep Sand Bed) or No DSB?

Since the Live Sand Filter was created by Dr. Dean Jaubert, the pros and cons of the DSB (Deep Sand Bed) both with and without a plenum have been discussed. Here is a quick overview of both sides of the debate.
DSB (Deep Sand Bed) or No DSB?

Sand Stirrers For Your DSB

Looking for something to keep your Deep Sand Bed stirred up or just some critters which will do a great job of keeping your sand substrate free of uneaten food and ditritus? Here are some sure-fire inverts that will get the job done.
Sand Stirrers For Your DSB

Adding Tank Janitors

If you want to keep the life in your Live Sand, you will want to some critters to keep it stirred up. Strangely enough, these are called Sand Stirrers.
Adding Tank Janitors

What is a Jaubert/Plenum Filter?

Your Guides define what a Jaubert/Plenum filter is, and explain how this type of NNR biological filter is set up and works to reduce nitrates naturally in saltwater aquarium and reef tank systems.
What is a Jaubert/Plenum Filter?
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