Buy Sand or Beach Sand?

[Billybatz9]

Should I buy sand or bring buckets of beach sand home for my aquarium? Sand is almost $20 a bag. YIIIIKES!

[tomreefer]

it's illegal to take sand from beaches. Go to reef rocks there sand is priced good. Right now its on backorder so wait

[Mark9]

Originally Posted by Billybatz9

Should I buy sand or bring buckets of beach sand home for my aquarium? Sand is almost $20 a bag. YIIIIKES!

If you are worried about $20 for sand, you may be in for sticker shock in this hobby.

[rocsec1]

There are probably things in the sand you don't want in your tank

[tomreefer]

you can also not use sand. 40lbs of sand for $24.95 is good. Tropic Eden mini flakes is expensive but many people love it. I am waiting though to see the sand for reef rocks. The current supplier is having a issue so the sand maybe different

[Billybatz9]

Reef Rocks has very good deal. Thanks for that. I will wait also. How many lbs to gallons will I need for sand?

[tomreefer]

what size tank and depth you want? there is a calculator on reef central.

[toothybugs]

General rule is 1-2 pounds per gallon. Start with 1:1, then if you feel you need more you can add it. I have 65 pounds in my 40.

[ifarmer]

Originally Posted by toothybugs

General rule is 1-2 pounds per gallon. Start with 1:1, then if you feel you need more you can add it. I have 65 pounds in my 40.

if I go by this rule then my 15g column tank would be half fill with sank

[digger4rc]

Originally Posted by ifarmer

if I go by this rule then my 15g column tank would be half fill with sank

If you did a 4" sand bed in your 15g col you'd need about 30lbs of sand.

I used this to cross check the 1-2lbs/gal rule of thumb for me when I bought my sand.


http://www.garf.org/calculators/SandBedCalculator.asp

[ptreef]

i have ~70# in my 250g...just enuf to cover the bottom!

Shallow or DSB??

i say go shallow, ~ 1/2"-3/4", and no need to pile up under rocks to. siphon w/ WC

Ohh and I'd just buy it that way you know its clean