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Live Sand

A live sand bed in the bottom of a reef or fish only aquarium has benefits that are both visible and not visible to an observer. The visible benefits are a very natural looking substrate that gobies, snails, starfish, and some shrimp will make their homes in. Certain gobies will dig out tunnel networks in the sand and exhibit their playful and interesting natural behavior for all to see. In addition live sand will be filled with many organisms that aquarium residents may love to have as a part of their natural diet, and providing that treat for the fish will help with it’s overall health and stress level reduction. The less visible benefit is the amount of helpful bacteria contained in the live sand that will help handle the biological load of an aquarium, helping to break down waste products.

Live sand should be thoroughly rinsed in clean salt water before adding to the aquarium to remove excess dead material that may be in the sand.