Best substrate? Considering Special Grade Reef...

Nerc · 08/11/2012, 04:58 PM

I'd like a shallow sand bed, 1-2", and I'm considering CaribSea Dry Aragonite Special Grade Reef Sand. I've heard it compared to crushed coral which is supposed to be bad?

What kind of livestock can it support? Not that any of this is set in stone but I'm considering the following:

Ocellaris Clownfish
Yellow Watchman Goby/Candy Pistol
Angel Fish(bicolor/ flame/ coral beauty)
McCosker' Flasher Wrasse
Bartlett's Anthias
Firefish
Blood Shrimp
Cleaner Shrimp

Are there any negatives to this kind of sand or is there a better option? Also if anyone is using it and could provide some pictures of their sandbed that would be great! Thanks!

dzfish17 · 08/11/2012, 05:15 PM

Im using the Caribsea reef grade sand in my FOWLR. It works great because it doesnt blow around and is easy to keep clean. Here is pic of my tank.

jgraz · 08/11/2012, 05:16 PM

I'm not using the above. However ive used both of these and like them very much Fiji pink live sand is really nice good size, no storms. Great stuff. The only one I like better is tropic Eden reef flakes.

genesisblue · 08/11/2012, 05:22 PM

Why is crushed coral supposed to be bad?

Nerc · 08/11/2012, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dzfish17

Im using the Caribsea reef grade sand in my FOWLR. It works great because it doesnt blow around and is easy to keep clean. Here is pic of my tank.

Your tank looks great, so does the sand bed. Any close ups? Thanks for the pic!

Nerc · 08/11/2012, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genesisblue

Why is crushed coral supposed to be bad?

Nitrate problems from what I've read, I'm not really one to be answering that though as I've got alot to learn.

Saltwatercoral2 · 08/11/2012, 05:38 PM

I vote tropic eden reef flakes

divinedragon13 · 08/11/2012, 06:33 PM

crushed coral traps a lot detritus in it and if not cleaned right raise nitrates though roof.
i had 10gal with cc bed that was like 3 mouths old i could take a siphon hose dig it in the cc and the water would come out black.i tried cleaning it up for a mouth before i took out cc and went to bare bottom.the nitrates lowered almost over night.

deebs · 08/12/2012, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saltwatercoral2

I vote tropic eden reef flakes

+1 tropic eden reef flakes

my 29 gallon has Caribsea sand and is great but I have seen a couple reefers with the tropic eden sand and I have to say im a little jealous even though its just sand lol.

Billybatz9 · 10/27/2014, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deebs

+1 tropic eden reef flakes

my 29 gallon has Caribsea sand and is great but I have seen a couple reefers with the tropic eden sand and I have to say im a little jealous even though its just sand lol.

Do you have A REGULAR 29 OR A BIOCUBE

Sk8r · 10/27/2014, 02:03 PM

aragonite doesn't compact and fuse the way cc does.

TreyK · 10/27/2014, 04:46 PM

reef flakes by tropic eden

Billybatz9 · 10/27/2014, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreyK

reef flakes by tropic eden

I like the way it looks, but it's quite pricey.

mrssaltwater · 10/28/2014, 12:14 AM

I have always used live Aragonite sand. I have never had any problems with it.

TreyK · 10/28/2014, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billybatz9

I like the way it looks, but it's quite pricey.

Not a huge difference in price if you look here.
http://premiumaquatics.com/category/dry-substrate.html

Billybatz9 · 10/28/2014, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreyK

Not a huge difference in price if you look here.
http://premiumaquatics.com/category/dry-substrate.html

40 lbs caribsea special grade $41.42 + Free Shipping if you spend $49
30 lbs reefflakes $44.99 + $9.00 (Total $53.99 just for sand)

If you go with caribsea, you will get 10 extra lbs and can get a $10 item like purigen for the cost of what reeflakes charges for shipping, since drsfostersmith doesnt charge for shipping when you spend $49

You will end up saving $12.57 if you go with caribsea (if you need to purchase something else) to reach that $49 mark and you get 10 extra lbs of sand.

To me, I'd prefer reefflakes, but in the end, I feel like the sand will be the same color after a while. I do have to admit, I do love that white color. But how long will it stay white? And after a few vacuums, you might need to order more sand to add to your tank after siphoning some out after a while. But with caribsea, you will have that extra 10 lbs on hand

Just my thought.

3dees · 10/28/2014, 10:12 AM

I use it and love it. Drs F & S. free and fast shipping.

NTP66 · 10/28/2014, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billybatz9

40 lbs caribsea special grade $41.42 + Free Shipping if you spend $49
30 lbs reefflakes $44.99 + $9.00 (Total $53.99 just for sand)

If you go with caribsea, you will get 10 extra lbs and can get a $10 item like purigen for the cost of what reeflakes charges for shipping, since drsfostersmith doesnt charge for shipping when you spend $49

You will end up saving $12.57 if you go with caribsea (if you need to purchase something else) to reach that $49 mark and you get 10 extra lbs of sand.

To me, I'd prefer reefflakes, but in the end, I feel like the sand will be the same color after a while. I do have to admit, I do love that white color. But how long will it stay white? And after a few vacuums, you might need to order more sand to add to your tank after siphoning some out after a while. But with caribsea, you will have that extra 10 lbs on hand

Just my thought.

You get what you pay for, IMO. I have Tropic Eden Miniflake (around the rockwork) and Reeflake, and would never think of switching to anything else. Though my tank is only 18 months old, the sand still looks outstanding, and much better than some of the younger Caribsea tanks of friends I know.

DavidinGA · 10/28/2014, 11:29 AM

I really like oolite and use it myself. It's the most natural looking imo.

davocean · 10/28/2014, 11:42 AM

Caribsea seaflor special grade

Billybatz9 · 10/28/2014, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NTP66

You get what you pay for, IMO. I have Tropic Eden Miniflake (around the rockwork) and Reeflake, and would never think of switching to anything else. Though my tank is only 18 months old, the sand still looks outstanding, and much better than some of the younger Caribsea tanks of friends I know.

I read that reefflakes are around 3.5 mm in size? Is this correct? If so, that might be a little large for some sand fish dont you think?

TreyK · 10/30/2014, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billybatz9

40 lbs caribsea special grade $41.42 + Free Shipping if you spend $49
30 lbs reefflakes $44.99 + $9.00 (Total $53.99 just for sand)

If you go with caribsea, you will get 10 extra lbs and can get a $10 item like purigen for the cost of what reeflakes charges for shipping, since drsfostersmith doesnt charge for shipping when you spend $49

You will end up saving $12.57 if you go with caribsea (if you need to purchase something else) to reach that $49 mark and you get 10 extra lbs of sand.

To me, I'd prefer reefflakes, but in the end, I feel like the sand will be the same color after a while. I do have to admit, I do love that white color. But how long will it stay white? And after a few vacuums, you might need to order more sand to add to your tank after siphoning some out after a while. But with caribsea, you will have that extra 10 lbs on hand

Just my thought.

Meh, ok I spend more than 13 bucks on lunch every day.

In a tank with high flow the grain size (not to mention consistency) makes a big difference. In a SSB application not only does it prevent sandstorms and compaction but the grain size is also "optimal" for bacterial colonization.

Not to mention the fact that reef flake tend to be much cleaner than alternatives which minimizes the amount of time that I need to be rinsing it.

NTP66 · 10/30/2014, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billybatz9

I read that reefflakes are around 3.5 mm in size? Is this correct? If so, that might be a little large for some sand fish dont you think?

I think they say it's between 2-4mm, which I'd agree with. Here's a comparison shot:

I don't think it'd be a problem for fish that enjoy the sand like wrasses and gobies, either. I've seen MUCH larger sand particles in other tanks that held those fish, and they all seemed fine. If you're still concerned, you can combine the miniflake and reeflake together and just go with that. I used both, but for a different reason - I wanted the smaller miniflake to essentially lock in the rockwork to the glass.

Billybatz9 · 10/30/2014, 10:09 AM

Went with Caribsea seaflor special grade. Looks nice and is better for the fish that like the sand IMO Plus I got free shipping and an extra 10 lbs (total 40lbs) - not bad

If I had the money, I'd order a sample pack from premiumaquatics for the reefflakes to see the grain size. Based on what they label (3.5mm) That just seemed way too big for me.

08/11/2012, 04:58 PM	#1
Nerc Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 9	Best substrate? Considering Special Grade Reef... I'd like a shallow sand bed, 1-2", and I'm considering CaribSea Dry Aragonite Special Grade Reef Sand. I've heard it compared to crushed coral which is supposed to be bad? What kind of livestock can it support? Not that any of this is set in stone but I'm considering the following: Ocellaris Clownfish Yellow Watchman Goby/Candy Pistol Angel Fish(bicolor/ flame/ coral beauty) McCosker' Flasher Wrasse Bartlett's Anthias Firefish Blood Shrimp Cleaner Shrimp Are there any negatives to this kind of sand or is there a better option? Also if anyone is using it and could provide some pictures of their sandbed that would be great! Thanks!

08/11/2012, 05:15 PM	#2
dzfish17 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fresno,Ca. Posts: 2,545	Im using the Caribsea reef grade sand in my FOWLR. It works great because it doesnt blow around and is easy to keep clean. Here is pic of my tank. __________________ 600g (96x36x46) FOWLR

10/27/2014, 02:03 PM	#11
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	aragonite doesn't compact and fuse the way cc does. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

10/27/2014, 04:46 PM	#12
TreyK Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 596	reef flakes by tropic eden __________________ Rimless 60 Cube

10/28/2014, 11:29 AM	#19
DavidinGA Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 2,393	I really like oolite and use it myself. It's the most natural looking imo. __________________ Giant money pit, but it's a happy pit ;) Current tank: 6ft 210gal SPS, 3~eBay led boxes, 4~80w T5's, sro3000int, RW20's, Reef Angel, reactors, pumps, rocks, sand, yadda yadda yadda...

08/11/2012, 05:16 PM	#3
jgraz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Bordentown, NJ Posts: 697	I'm not using the above. However ive used both of these and like them very much Fiji pink live sand is really nice good size, no storms. Great stuff. The only one I like better is tropic Eden reef flakes.

08/11/2012, 05:22 PM	#4
genesisblue Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 71	Why is crushed coral supposed to be bad?

08/11/2012, 05:38 PM	#7
Saltwatercoral2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,617	I vote tropic eden reef flakes

08/11/2012, 06:33 PM	#8
divinedragon13 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: payette idaho Posts: 84	crushed coral traps a lot detritus in it and if not cleaned right raise nitrates though roof. i had 10gal with cc bed that was like 3 mouths old i could take a siphon hose dig it in the cc and the water would come out black.i tried cleaning it up for a mouth before i took out cc and went to bare bottom.the nitrates lowered almost over night.

10/28/2014, 12:14 AM	#14
mrssaltwater Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Broomfield, Colorado Posts: 27	I have always used live Aragonite sand. I have never had any problems with it.

10/28/2014, 10:12 AM	#17
3dees Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago burbs Posts: 793	I use it and love it. Drs F & S. free and fast shipping.

10/28/2014, 11:42 AM	#20
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Caribsea seaflor special grade __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

10/30/2014, 10:09 AM	#24
Billybatz9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 557	Went with Caribsea seaflor special grade. Looks nice and is better for the fish that like the sand IMO Plus I got free shipping and an extra 10 lbs (total 40lbs) - not bad If I had the money, I'd order a sample pack from premiumaquatics for the reefflakes to see the grain size. Based on what they label (3.5mm) That just seemed way too big for me.