sand...fine or larger size?

ultimate125 · 07/08/2008, 12:58 AM

I'm worried about my powerheads blowing around the fine sand...should I go sugar sized or bigger?

scbauer · 07/08/2008, 01:04 AM

For me it is all about looks... I love sugar-sized sand. Period. I'll deal with the flow issues in other ways like placing live rock in the path of the powerhead flow.

-Scott

joshkennedy07 · 07/08/2008, 01:09 AM

How deep do you want your sand?

If you want a DSB you should use sugar-fine. It is also good for bottom sifting fish and corals placed in the sand such as favia.

ultimate125 · 07/08/2008, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by joshkennedy07
How deep do you want your sand?

only 1-2"

joshkennedy07 · 07/08/2008, 01:20 AM

You may want a medium grain to avoid the sandstorm all together.

A word of advise, I would use no more than 1" or go with a DSB to avoid trapping nitrates. Unless you want to use one of those gravel vacuums. If you do choose the DSB, use 4" of sugar-fine.

Also, Dr Foster & Smith has the best shipping rates.

joshkennedy07 · 07/08/2008, 01:23 AM

Well, the medium grain is more resistant to the sand storm. Still takes some careful positioning if you have high flow.

whitleyjb · 07/08/2008, 05:08 AM

I went with a larger grain due to the amount of flow I wanted in my tank. Seems to be doing well so far. Still get some movemement, but not as much as I had before.

Allanira · 07/08/2008, 08:05 PM

I have both fine and medium. I have the fine live sand on the bottom with the medium on top of it. That way I get the benefit of both. I have the fine as a DSB and the medium as just a covering over it to keep it from blowing around. If you ask Sk8er he would tell you to get the medium. He had fine and got tired of it getting all over the rest of the tank cause of the powerheads. I tried the whole putting LR infront of it and it still went every where. I wish you luck in what ever choice you make.

07/08/2008, 12:58 AM	#1
ultimate125 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sonora CA Posts: 309	sand...fine or larger size? I'm worried about my powerheads blowing around the fine sand...should I go sugar sized or bigger? Last edited by ultimate125; 07/08/2008 at 01:08 AM.

07/08/2008, 01:04 AM	#2
scbauer The Buff Reefer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,699	For me it is all about looks... I love sugar-sized sand. Period. I'll deal with the flow issues in other ways like placing live rock in the path of the powerhead flow. -Scott __________________ offical member of the "WIAGAS" club "Wondering If Anybody Gives A ...." ...for when your thread has 50 posts, and 48 of them are yours Current Tank Info: No tank. Got out of the hobby in 2011 but I’ll be back one day!

07/08/2008, 08:05 PM	#8
Allanira Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New Mexico Posts: 293	I have both fine and medium. I have the fine live sand on the bottom with the medium on top of it. That way I get the benefit of both. I have the fine as a DSB and the medium as just a covering over it to keep it from blowing around. If you ask Sk8er he would tell you to get the medium. He had fine and got tired of it getting all over the rest of the tank cause of the powerheads. I tried the whole putting LR infront of it and it still went every where. I wish you luck in what ever choice you make. __________________ "Why me?" Because I think God has a sense of humor. Current Tank Info: 55 gal fresh, and 55 gal salt with a 55 gallon sump 75 lb LR, live sand, 2 koralia 3s, 2 koralia 2s, 2 maroon clown, 1 green chromis, 1 firefish, 1 starry blenny, 2 red legged hermit crabs, 2 turbo snails, 1 cleaner shrimp

07/08/2008, 01:09 AM	#3
joshkennedy07 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: California Posts: 248	How deep do you want your sand? If you want a DSB you should use sugar-fine. It is also good for bottom sifting fish and corals placed in the sand such as favia.

07/08/2008, 01:20 AM	#5
joshkennedy07 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: California Posts: 248	You may want a medium grain to avoid the sandstorm all together. A word of advise, I would use no more than 1" or go with a DSB to avoid trapping nitrates. Unless you want to use one of those gravel vacuums. If you do choose the DSB, use 4" of sugar-fine. Also, Dr Foster & Smith has the best shipping rates.

07/08/2008, 01:23 AM	#6
joshkennedy07 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: California Posts: 248	Well, the medium grain is more resistant to the sand storm. Still takes some careful positioning if you have high flow.

07/08/2008, 05:08 AM	#7
whitleyjb Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Huntersville, NC Posts: 116	I went with a larger grain due to the amount of flow I wanted in my tank. Seems to be doing well so far. Still get some movemement, but not as much as I had before.