Bahamas Oolite by CaribSea

[londonloco]

I have a friend who has used Bahamas Oolite by CaribSea in his Sandsifter tank. This substrate is part of their "Arag Alive" line, marketed for saltwater tanks...."has millions of bacteria per pound"...it's wet sand in a bag. I used it for my reef years ago, a very fine, white sand, he says his sandsifters love this sand.

I have concerns about putting saltwater bacteria in a freshwater tank (if it is actually saltwater bacteria). It's also relatively expensive compared to pool filter or play sand.

Would love thoughts from all of you about using this substrate in a cichlid tank. Also, those of you that keep sandsifters, what type of sand are you using?

 

[zenins]

I am not sure about the bacteria in "marine" sand.

However, I do know about pool filter sand for a freshwater tank.
I have South American Geophagus sand sifters and they love the pool filter sand. It is very clean to start with.
The fresh sand out of the bag may be a bit coarse for young sand sifters, so the ideal pool filter sand to use is sand that has been in a pool filter for a few years and is being replaced because it has become rounded and does not catch enough from the water to be useful as pool filter media.
So, if you can link up with someone that is replacing their pool filter media, ask for the old stuff, rinse it off well to make sure no chlorine is present and your sand sifters will thank you for it

I don't recommend the play sand. It is less expensive, but usually contains clay and other particles that get released and makes your aquarium cloudy for a month or two. You have to rinse and rinse and just when you think you have rinsed the play sand enough, rinse again. You end up with 2/3 or 1/2 of the volume you started with

 

[KRUCIAN KING]

I was at both lowes and home depot looking for pool filter sand no luck. I got some geo altifrons and that carib sand is a bit expensive. Where can i find pool filter sand that play sand is too dirty.

 

[fischfan13]

I have a friend who has used Bahamas Oolite by CaribSea in his Sandsifter tank. This substrate is part of their "Arag Alive" line, marketed for saltwater tanks...."has millions of bacteria per pound"...it's wet sand in a bag. I used it for my reef years ago, a very fine, white sand, he says his sandsifters love this sand.

I have concerns about putting saltwater bacteria in a freshwater tank (if it is actually saltwater bacteria). It's also relatively expensive compared to pool filter or play sand.

Would love thoughts from all of you about using this substrate in a cichlid tank. Also, those of you that keep sandsifters, what type of sand are you using?

Hey Loni.
I will contact my friend over at CaribSea on Monday and ask him.

Bill

 

[Prince]

Pool filter sans can be found a pool supply store. Walmart, lowes and homedepot.

Posted via mobile.capitalcichlids.org

 

[londonloco]

Hey Loni.
I will contact my friend over at CaribSea on Monday and ask him.

Bill

Thanks Bill!

 

[londonloco]

I was at both lowes and home depot looking for pool filter sand no luck. I got some geo altifrons and that carib sand is a bit expensive. Where can i find pool filter sand that play sand is too dirty.

I get mine at Leslie's Pool Supply.

 

[jonclark96]

I was at both lowes and home depot looking for pool filter sand no luck. I got some geo altifrons and that carib sand is a bit expensive. Where can i find pool filter sand that play sand is too dirty.

I get mine at Flamingo Pool Supply in Frederick.

 

[dogofwar]

There's a Pool Supply Store in Gaithersburg that also carries pool filter sand. I think it's $10/50 lbs. It's so clean I don't even rinse it before using it...

Matt

 

[Prince]

Pool filter sans can be found a pool supply store. Walmart, lowes and homedepot.

Posted via mobile.capitalcichlids.org

Walmart, Lowes and Homedepot don't carry it. I think I remember you said you lived in Bowie. Try:

Danny's Pool & Patio Center 2169 Defense Highway, Crofton, MD 21114-2401 (410) 721-0074   (301) 261-3555 ‎

 

[fischfan13]

Loni, I called CaribSea and this was the answer...

Use the dry Aragonite Sugar Sized Sand.
It is the same sand as the Bahamas Oolite, but it has been dried out and is MUCH less expensive.

Here's a link:

http://www.caribsea.com/pages/buy_it/dryaragonite/buy_sugarsizesand.html

 

[minifoot77]

good lookin out bill

Posted via mobile.capitalcichlids.org

 

[londonloco]

and very much appreciated. TY TY TY

 

[longstocking]

In terms of the sand sifter question... it doesn't matter much but the finer the sand the better for their gills. The sand goes through thier gills more often than other types of fish. I use several different types of sand but nothing very large or sharp.

 

[KRUCIAN KING]

thanks prince I will try them tomorrow.

 

[londonloco]

In terms of the sand sifter question... it doesn't matter much but the finer the sand the better for their gills. The sand goes through thier gills more often than other types of fish. I use several different types of sand but nothing very large or sharp.

I'm going to try the dry Aragonite Sugar Sized Sand. Do you know of it Sarah? Will it do?