Caribsea Arag-Alive Live Reef Sand 10lbs

CaribSea Arag‑Alive Live Reef Sand is a water‑packed aragonite substrate containing millions of live marine bacteria, engineered to give reef tanks a fast, stable biological start and suppress “new tank syndrome.” It’s one of the most widely used live sands in professional and hobbyist reef systems thanks to its rapid clarity, pH support, and high surface area for nitrifying bacteria. 🧬 What It Is 100% aragonite reef sand, harvested and graded for purity (no silica, ash, metals, or harmful organics). Water‑packed with heterotrophic, autotrophic, and chemolithotrophic bacteria, giving immediate ammonia → nitrite → nitrate processing. Bio‑Magnet clarifier included directly in the packing solution for fast clearing. 🌊 Why Reef Keepers Use It Accelerates cycling — independent testing shows Arag‑Alive cycles days faster than other live sands. Suppresses new tank syndrome by compressing the ammonia cycle and reducing nutrient spikes. Discourages nuisance algae because bacteria compete for available nutrients. Naturally buffers pH via aragonite, reducing the need for chemical additives. High surface area (~20,000 sq in per cubic inch) for bacterial adhesion and long‑term stability. Never needs replacement; continues functioning as a biological filter for the life of the aquarium. 🪨 Available Grades & Grain Sizes CaribSea offers several Arag‑Alive variants, each suited to different flow levels and livestock needs: Special Grade Reef Sand — 1.0–2.0 mm Most popular for reef tanks Stable under moderate–high flow Great for sand‑sifting fish and general reef use Fiji Pink — 0.5–1.5 mm Softer aesthetic with pink highlights Good for burrowing species Bahamas Oolite — 0.25–1.0 mm Very fine; ideal for low‑flow tanks and microfauna Can shift in high flow Hawaiian Black / Indo‑Pacific Black — 0.25–3.5 mm Volcanic black appearance Highlights brightly colored fish Natural Reef / Bimini Pink — mixed grain sizes More “wild reef” texture Suitable for diverse microfauna communities 🧪 Performance in New Tanks Immediate bacterial activity begins as soon as the sand is submerged. Rapid water clarity due to integrated clarifier. Faster livestock introduction compared to inert sands that require weeks of colonization. 📏 How Much You Need CaribSea provides density and depth guidelines; Special Grade averages 85 lbs per cubic foot. Example: a 75‑gallon tank typically needs 41 lbs for 1", 82 lbs for 2", 123 lbs for 3" of depth. ⭐ Summary Arag‑Alive Live Reef Sand is a high‑performance, biologically active substrate that: Jumps‑starts the nitrogen cycle Stabilizes pH Clears quickly Reduces algae and nutrient spikes Provides ideal grain options for any reef setup