live sandbed...

[csv_scorpion]

i was wondering... is there a tell tale sign that your sandbed is live? i mean... how do i know how "live" my sandbed is? and roughly, how long does it take for sandbed to become live (when you first start your tank)? sorry if these questions look n00bish to you. i'mma n00b. :?

***** EDIT *****

oh... also... does it help to get a "sand sifter" livestock?... like a starfish or something? what are the benefits, if any, of having animals that move around the sand?

 

[jeffsdesigns]

stay away from sand sifting stars.
They will eat the benificail critters in your sandbad and will evenually starve to death.

Wanna get something?
Get a Queen Counch.
1 per 25 gallons.

 

[csv_scorpion]

how does a queen conch look like? thanks for your help.

and you're saying that i should get one of these to sift through my sand and eat detritus (sp).?

 

[reefann]

I think one queen per 25g is pushing it. I thought those guys got to about 12"
JJ
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Mercedes CLK Class

 

[ReefRian]

You can normally tell if the sand is alive if you have small trails against the glass under the surface of the sand. Though I think if you have anything like LR or have purchased corals, there will be stuff on these that will seed your sand and then it is considered live. Even if it's only bacteria, it's alive.

Rian