Is Live Sand for freshwater tanks possible?

[E.Otter]

Supposedly if you have "dead" sand substrate (with no bacteria in it) that
is calcareous-based and deep enough (3+ inches depending on grain size) it
will become "live" overtime with the bacteria needed break down nitrates
into harmless gasses.

Anyone heard of this being used successfully in freshwater tanks?
E.Otter

[Geezer From Freezer]

"E.Otter" wrote:
>
> Supposedly if you have "dead" sand substrate (with no bacteria in it) that
> is calcareous-based and deep enough (3+ inches depending on grain size) it
> will become "live" overtime with the bacteria needed break down nitrates
> into harmless gasses.
>
> Anyone heard of this being used successfully in freshwater tanks?
> E.Otter

it'll be live with anaerobic bacteria - not good at all!
Some sands also have some silicic acid, which diatoms use to grow.

[BErney1014]

>Anyone heard of this being used successfully in freshwater tanks?

Yes, Theil was teaching how, he said it's easy to do freshwater but had to shut
down the FW list after a stroke. I never got to it after that.