Substrate

[Bmgrocks]

After numerous replies to change my substrate from Crushed coral to sand, what sand do i use?

Is the Agralive really worth it, or should i get something else?

Does anyone have problems with the sand holding gasses in the tank?

[patsverizon]

I would spend the money if you were only doing the 30 gal tank.. You will probably only need one 2o lb bag... I have heard of folks using southdown sand from a farm supply type shop. also argoinite is a good option, again a little more expensive but not as much as the live...

[DEdwards]

Originally posted by Bmgrocks
After numerous replies to change my substrate from Crushed coral to sand, what sand do i use?

Is the Agralive really worth it, or should i get something else?

Does anyone have problems with the sand holding gasses in the tank?

1. This depends on what type of sand bed you want to have. If you are going for 1"-2" then I would stick with just the live sand (assuming that you haven't cycled your tank yet). If you have cycled your tank then look for non-live aragonite sand about Ø1mm-Ø2mm sized.

If you want a deeper sand bed say around 3"-4" then I would use 2 layers. Bottom layer being oolitic sand (Ø0.1mm-Ø1mm) and then a layer of the live sand (or equivalent size if you have already cycled)

Carib-Sea website

You want gases to form in the sand if you are going with a deep sand bed. The anaerobic bacteria in the sand bed will transform the nitrates to nitrogen gas and these gases will move out of the bed in time.

[Bmgrocks]

The tank has been cycled

its for the 30 gallon..

Should I just add some Agronite based Sand,
I'll probly just end up getting the Agralive, its not too expensive around my way,

you said a 20lb bag?

[DEdwards]

depends on how deep of a bed that you want. 1-2" will need about 20-40lbs respectively of the aragalive sand (assuming 12"x30" base). Be warned that if you use the Aragalive sand that you may cause a small cycle.

[Bmgrocks]

ooh, could i do half and half, agralive, and some other agramax sand?

[Myka]

Aragalive isn't what it's cracked up to be...I'd just use regular CaribSea Aragonite sand if I were you.