CaribSea Ocean Direct Caribbean Live Aquarium Sand, 5-lb bag

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$6.89 Chewy Price
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About This Item

Details

  • Contains high counts of natural, beneficial bacteria with no noxious buildup of metabolic by-products.
  • Includes a high concentration of strontium to help promote the growth of your coral reef.
  • Made free from silica.
  • Discourages the growth of unwanted algae.
  • Each grain is coated with bacteria and encapsulated in a thin film of real ocean water to help improve gas exchange and mimic your finned friend’s natural environment.

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Questions & Answers

4 Customer Questions

This listing says it is for freshwater aquariums but I’m reading from other sources that you can’t use live sand in freshwater tanks. Can you clarify?

Answer by Chewy • Jul 22, 2021
Ocean direct is not the best choice for freshwater aquariums. It is a marine product.

If I use this, how long before I can add fish to the tank?

Answer by Chewy • Aug 16, 2022
As far as set up, once the tank has the sand in it, the water and rock/décor, start all pumps and filters. When the water is clear, you are able to add your first fish. We suggest a day or so after set up.

can this be used with an under gravel filter?

Answer by Chewy • Mar 09, 2022
We do not recommend using aquarium sand when using an under gravel filter.

What’s the relative coarseness level? I’m looking into getting some sort of burrowing shrimp and was wondering if this would be good for them

Answer by Chewy • Aug 28, 2021
The typical size of this sand is 0.25 - 6.5 millimeters.
Reviews
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4.1
Rated 4.1 out of 5 stars
17 Ratings
Terms & Conditions

6 Customer Reviews

Rated 1 out of 5 stars
By Michael on Dec 25, 2025

Disappointed

Ordered a 20lbs bag of ocean direct live sand and the first bag showed up in a wet box. I was sent a replacement and it showed up in a dry box but the sand was also

Ordered a 20lbs bag of ocean direct live sand and the first bag showed up in a wet box. I was sent a replacement and it showed up in a dry box but the sand was also dry. No ocean water and presumably no beneficial bacteria.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Paul on Sep 27, 2025

Timely delivery

Awesome for starting a reef tank.

Awesome for starting a reef tank.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars
By Brandon on Apr 21, 2025

Damaged box and was supposed to be live sand but the sand was so dry

Was supposed to be live sand for saltwater tank and it showed up dry like ain't had water in weeks

Was supposed to be live sand for saltwater tank and it showed up dry like ain't had water in weeks

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By David on Aug 31, 2025

Quality

Great live and works

Great live and works

Rated 3 out of 5 stars
By Brent on May 22, 2024

Mixed opinions on the product

Originally ordered 2 bags. One shipped and 1 placed on backorder for waiting tank. Cancelled the backorder and ordered 2 20lb bags. 1st bag arrived broke open (Poor

Originally ordered 2 bags. One shipped and 1 placed on backorder for waiting tank. Cancelled the backorder and ordered 2 20lb bags. 1st bag arrived broke open (Poor packaging) with about 30% loss and seemed mostly dry not moist. That bag was refunded. 2nd bags arrived in good condition. Tank didnt seem to cycle much faster than using dry sand and live bacteria so unsure if it was beneficial or not ultimately. I will say yes I will recommend but not 100% sure would buy again at this point.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars
By Amy on Jul 16, 2023

A good option!

I just needed to add a small amount of sand to an established tank. This isn't as fine of sand as I used before and you do have to pick through it. My biggest

I just needed to add a small amount of sand to an established tank. This isn't as fine of sand as I used before and you do have to pick through it. My biggest advice is to rinse like crazy and don't worry about the live bacteria aspect unless you are starting a new tank with nothing in it. After rinsing a ton and adding about half the bag my tank stayed clear and none of my corals were affected.