Choosing sand

Discussion in 'Sand' started by PghSteeler, Feb 19, 2012.

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  1. mails2thiagu

    mails2thiagu Feather Duster

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    Mar 2, 2011
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    Location:
    Jacksonville, FL
    from my personal experience, don't ever use silica based sand especially those sold in home depot/Lowes. I have used them once and within few days whole sand covered with nasty algae. It's huge pain to replace sand once it's settled, so look at lfs or local reefers tank to get idea how it looks like. Also go for coarse than fine otherwise with good flow, fine sand will be disturbed quite easily by power heads, some fishes(clown/goby) causing sand storm quite often.

    you can try caribsea dry aragonite sand or sand from Marcorocks, i heard they both are good. I use caribsea aragonite in my 80 gallon. Also rinse them with ro/di water if it's dry sand.
     
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  3. SwimsWithFish

    SwimsWithFish Giant Squid

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    I would do a 50/50 mixture of sugar sand and 1-2mm aragonite sand. About 2" deep.

    Make sure to rinse sugar sand VERY well.
     
  4. SwimsWithFish

    SwimsWithFish Giant Squid

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    But If it's a fowlr sand isnt as important. You'd do fine with just 2mm sand.
     
  5. pgoodsell

    pgoodsell Horrid Stonefish

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    This is completely untrue. I used all base rock, all "dead" sand and my tank cycled fine. The bacteria you need is every where and it will find its way into your tank. Seeding with live rock or sand just makes it go a little faster. I used dry aragonite for marine depot. I got the .5-1mm size.
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2012
  6. Saltwatercoral2

    Saltwatercoral2 Astrea Snail

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    Dec 3, 2011
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    I use CAribsea special grade sand. I had the aragonite stuff but it never stayed in one spot when my mp40 was running.
     
  7. Beenoff

    Beenoff Plankton

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    Jan 13, 2012
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    Location:
    Houston, TX
    I have a single sand bed 2 inch black sand in my 29g. the tahitian moon kind. makes fish and coral colors pop, I am loving it so far.