Reef flakes or Mini Reef flakes?

skh · 07/03/2011, 03:02 PM

I have a question for all you RC folk. I'm setting up a new 120g tank running 2x mp40s and a ~500 gph return for flow and am trying to decide on sand size. In my nano tank I currently have Caribsea fiji pink sand. I really like the size (0.5 to 1.5 mm) but am worried how it will fare in a higher-flow tank.

Does anyone have experience with a similar setup using reef flakes and mini reef flakes? Can I get away with using mini flakes or are they too easily disturbed/moved around by the flow? I saw that dzhuo was using a mix of regular and mini flakes.

Edit: Here's PA's take on the mini-flakes for SPS flow:

Quote:

I think at first the Miniflake will blow around quite a bit, however once it gets weighted down with bacteria and matures in the tank for a month or two it should be just fine. Remember, 5-6yrs we all ran sugar fine sand 4"-6" deep in our sps tanks with high flow!

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1865344

Anyone else?

Reefahholic · 07/03/2011, 05:14 PM

Reefflakes are 3.5 mm. Mini flakes are about 2.0 mm but not positive on that one.

I would go with reefflakes with 2 mp 40's just to be safe. If it blows with the mini- ur gonna be screwed and have to take it all out. That would suck majorly.

JG1 · 07/03/2011, 05:16 PM

depending on the mode I use, I still move around reeflakes that are 6 months old in my 48x24x20 with my mp40's

skh · 07/03/2011, 08:26 PM

Thanks guys. I think I'm leaning toward 100% reef flakes. I've seen some additional pictures and it actually doesn't look too chunky.

Lynnmw1208 · 07/03/2011, 10:26 PM

reeflakes are a really good size. Small enough for my jawfish to move, but heavy enough to stay put for the most part. I think the miniflakes would blow around too much. this stuff is so nice a clean too, it's great!

barney1215 · 07/04/2011, 10:14 AM

I have reeflakes in my 185 with 2 mp40, 16oo gph return and 4 k3 and there is no movement fron them. I would go with reeflakes.

dzhuo · 07/04/2011, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skh

Thanks guys. I think I'm leaning toward 100% reef flakes. I've seen some additional pictures and it actually doesn't look too chunky.

If your tank is intended to be SPS with heavy flow, I would definitely go with 100% reef flakes. It won't look chunky at all. It's about perfect as far as size is concern. Lots of people PM me whether I have problems keeping sand burrowing critters with reef flakes and I can honestly say no. Pictures for size reference with various such critters:

Cucumber

Nassarius

And of course, this little guy

You will not be disappointed and I don't believe you will find better sand.

skh · 07/05/2011, 02:30 PM

Awesome, thanks everyone!

Salty150 · 03/22/2016, 10:52 AM

Sorry to revive such an old post, lol.

But is this "sand" more white?

I am looking at CaribSea and their "sands" seen to be more tan color when in water...

And has anyone actually experienced trouble with the mini-flakes?

vitodog · 03/22/2016, 11:09 AM

I used a combination of mini-Reefflakes and Reef Flakes when I set up my 125. I changed out the Reef Flakes and replaced it with Caribsea sand. The Caribsea sand was IMO whiter.

Mark426 · 03/22/2016, 03:08 PM

I tried mini flakes and maybe I got a bad batch but it was close to sugar sized. Replaced it with reef flakes.

Salty150 · 03/22/2016, 03:12 PM

There seems to be a "new" size between Mini Flakes and Reef Flakes - it is called Meso Flakes.

07/03/2011, 05:16 PM	#3
JG1 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sicklerville, NJ 08081 Posts: 2,256	depending on the mode I use, I still move around reeflakes that are 6 months old in my 48x24x20 with my mp40's __________________ -John Current Tank Info: 100g Rimless Starphire

07/03/2011, 10:26 PM	#5
Lynnmw1208 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Brunswick, Ohio Posts: 3,306	reeflakes are a really good size. Small enough for my jawfish to move, but heavy enough to stay put for the most part. I think the miniflakes would blow around too much. this stuff is so nice a clean too, it's great! __________________ equipment: Eshopps psk-200 skimmer, Mag 12 pump, 30gal sump, 2x 300w Finnex heaters, glass-holes 1500gph overflow kit with 3/4" return kits, 72" 8x36w t-5 AquaticLife light, 66lbs of LR, 150lbs of tropic eden reeflakes, 2 Koralia Evo 1400, JBJ ATO, BRS dual GFO/carbon reactors, Hydor smartwave Current Tank Info: 125gallon

03/22/2016, 11:09 AM	#10
vitodog Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 1,226	I used a combination of mini-Reefflakes and Reef Flakes when I set up my 125. I changed out the Reef Flakes and replaced it with Caribsea sand. The Caribsea sand was IMO whiter. __________________ Current Tank Info: 124.7 gal. Reef Savvy D/T, Trigger Systems 36" sump, Octo Elite 150-S, GHL Mitras LX7 x 3, Profilux3, Masterflex 7550-30 Peristaltic pump, Vector M1 return Pump, MP40w QD x 2

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07/03/2011, 05:14 PM	#2
Reefahholic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 3,974	Reefflakes are 3.5 mm. Mini flakes are about 2.0 mm but not positive on that one. I would go with reefflakes with 2 mp 40's just to be safe. If it blows with the mini- ur gonna be screwed and have to take it all out. That would suck majorly.

07/03/2011, 08:26 PM	#4
skh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 312	Thanks guys. I think I'm leaning toward 100% reef flakes. I've seen some additional pictures and it actually doesn't look too chunky.

07/04/2011, 10:14 AM	#6
barney1215 Moved On Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 74	I have reeflakes in my 185 with 2 mp40, 16oo gph return and 4 k3 and there is no movement fron them. I would go with reeflakes.

07/05/2011, 02:30 PM	#8
skh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 312	Awesome, thanks everyone!

03/22/2016, 10:52 AM	#9
Salty150 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 1,345	Sorry to revive such an old post, lol. But is this "sand" more white? I am looking at CaribSea and their "sands" seen to be more tan color when in water... And has anyone actually experienced trouble with the mini-flakes?

03/22/2016, 03:08 PM	#11
Mark426 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,479	I tried mini flakes and maybe I got a bad batch but it was close to sugar sized. Replaced it with reef flakes.

03/22/2016, 03:12 PM	#12
Salty150 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 1,345	There seems to be a "new" size between Mini Flakes and Reef Flakes - it is called Meso Flakes.