Sand Choice

Discussion in 'Sand' started by mati_L, Jul 17, 2011.

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  1. mati_L

    mati_L Fire Shrimp

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    As you guys know if you read any of my post, i am starting a 72 bow front as my first reef tank

    Sand choice? i dont want fine sand that will blow around with flow..a BB doesnt seem appealing and DSB sounds like trouble?

    so about 2" of sand ? but what sand, should i buy LS from my LFS ? or mix live and dry? live sand seems expensive for the amount i need
     
    mati_L, Jul 17, 2011
    mati_L, Jul 17, 2011
    #1

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  2. starfish2217

    starfish2217 Horrid Stonefish

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    When I started my 40 breeder.it has about 2 inches of sand I used a mix of live and dry, I wouldn't buy all live thats way more expensive just buy dry and enough live sand to seed the tank. Are you going to use cured LR? or baserock?
     
    starfish2217, Jul 17, 2011
    starfish2217, Jul 17, 2011
    #2
  3. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    Buy sand in the 1mm to 2mm size range. No need for live sand; see if you can get a cup or two from local reefers or maybe even you LFS.
     
    2in10, Jul 18, 2011
    2in10, Jul 18, 2011
    #3
  4. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

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    Agreed... It really doesn't take much live to seed a dry sandbed.
     
    Mr. Bill, Jul 18, 2011
    Mr. Bill, Jul 18, 2011
    #4
  5. mati_L

    mati_L Fire Shrimp

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    Yeah i was planning on going with a mix of LR and some Dry rock, im not so sure how many pounds yet, i really want to fill the tank nicely... As for sand yeah that sounds like what i had in mind, some live sand to seed it but the dry sand, where can i go get some ?
     
    mati_L, Jul 18, 2011
    mati_L, Jul 18, 2011
    #5
  6. mati_L

    mati_L Fire Shrimp

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    another question, the placement of the rock ? should i place some eggcrate under the structure then sand ? or sand then rock ?
     
    mati_L, Jul 18, 2011
    mati_L, Jul 18, 2011
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  7. ReefBruh

    ReefBruh Giant Squid

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    I would go with 70-80 lbs or start with half that amount and work your way up.
     
    ReefBruh, Jul 18, 2011
    ReefBruh, Jul 18, 2011
    #7
  8. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

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    You can find dry sand in a variety of sizes and even colors from most any LFS or online outlet. As for placement, some use eggcrate or a DIY PVC rack under the rocks, and some place the rock directly on the bottom of the tank then fill around it with sand. The main object is to keep burrowers from tunneling under the structure and possibly causing it to collapse.
     
    Mr. Bill, Jul 18, 2011
    Mr. Bill, Jul 18, 2011
    #8
  9. mati_L

    mati_L Fire Shrimp

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    I had the idea that it is better to put in all the rock at once and have that structure set then add the coral, but then i dont know much i go based on what i see so... 80lbs or so then add as my tank matures right? im thinking a pound of LR for ever 2 or 3 pounds of dry ? or something along those lines
     
    mati_L, Jul 18, 2011
    mati_L, Jul 18, 2011
    #9
  10. mati_L

    mati_L Fire Shrimp

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    The idea of placing the rock on a bare bottom, glass, doesnt sound very safe right? i mean with the sharp edges of the rock that means the weight is evenly distributed, all focused on sharp edges of the rock...im think eggcrate i dont like the look for pvc in the tank as i seen before unless those chose not to hide it but then does this interrupt anything for a burrower?
     
    mati_L, Jul 18, 2011
    mati_L, Jul 18, 2011
    #10
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