Live Sand

Saltdog813 · 07/07/2009, 05:20 PM

Im down here in Tampa Fl starting a 150 gal. How much live sand do I need?

bsclarinet · 07/07/2009, 05:22 PM

That depends on if you are going with a shallow sand bed or DSB. For SSB, 1-2 lbs per gallon is usually recommended. If you are going DSB, you'll probably need to double that to get 3-4 inches of sand.

Saltdog813 · 07/07/2009, 05:33 PM

Awsome thanks for your help!

bsclarinet · 07/07/2009, 05:34 PM

No problem! Good luck with your tank! I would love to have one that big.

mg426 · 07/07/2009, 07:26 PM

I really would not use (or better put) pay the extra $$ for Live Sand. Use regular sand for your sand bed. Get a cup of sand from an established tank to seed your sand bed with.

iFisch · 07/07/2009, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mg426
Get a cup of sand from an established tank to seed your sand bed with.

He would need more than a couple cups to seed the tank. I was thinking along the lines of 5lbs of LIVE live sand to every 100lb or so "dead" sand.

And you need to decide if you want a shallow sand bed (1-2") or a deep sand bed (4"+) I read anything like 2.5"-3.5" can be detrimental some how, and to go with either one, and not something in the middle. I am positive others can confirm this. I didn't read just one's posting. It was numerous recommendations by numerous people.

A CUP of sand in a 150g, is very little.

Saltdog813 · 07/08/2009, 05:57 AM

Thanks for all the input. Tell me if this is a no no going to get some sand from the beach?

iFisch · 07/08/2009, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Saltdog813
Thanks for all the input. Tell me if this is a no no going to get some sand from the beach?

It is if it is close by. It isn't if you go 10 miles off shore, and get it from the bottom of the ocean.

sedor · 07/08/2009, 06:37 AM

Quote:

It is if it is close by. It isn't if you go 10 miles off shore, and get it from the bottom of the ocean.

LOL...get your goggles and air tube ready its time to start swimming!

iFisch · 07/08/2009, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ryandlf
LOL...get your goggles and air tube ready its time to start swimming!

You mean a boat and 2x250hp behind me.

Sugar Magnolia · 07/08/2009, 06:57 AM

You definitely don't want to take the sand from the shore. There are way too many pollutants on the beach and in the shallows. You'd need to go out a ways to collect sand. Also, check with the local laws to see if it's legal.

Sand bed calculator

iFisch · 07/08/2009, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sugar Magnolia
Also, check with the local laws to see if it's legal.

If the OP is SERIOUS about collecting off shore, it would be in your best of interest to contact the FWC about collecting.

http://myfwc.com/

07/07/2009, 05:20 PM	#1
Saltdog813 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Apollo Beach FL, Posts: 144	Live Sand Im down here in Tampa Fl starting a 150 gal. How much live sand do I need?

07/07/2009, 05:22 PM	#2
bsclarinet Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 132	That depends on if you are going with a shallow sand bed or DSB. For SSB, 1-2 lbs per gallon is usually recommended. If you are going DSB, you'll probably need to double that to get 3-4 inches of sand. __________________ Julie Current Tank Info: 45 gallon reef tank - 1 O. Clown - 1 bicolor blenny - 1 canary blenny - 1 six line wrasse - 1 watchman goby and tiger pistol shrimp - hermits, snails, emerald crab, urchin - sun coral - frogspawn - candy cane, variety of softies

07/07/2009, 05:33 PM	#3
Saltdog813 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Apollo Beach FL, Posts: 144	Awsome thanks for your help! __________________ Jack Marineland 150 gallon Current Tank Info: 75 Gal Rectangle/cube Sea Horse tank, 150 Gal Marineland SW Reef

07/07/2009, 05:34 PM	#4
bsclarinet Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 132	No problem! Good luck with your tank! I would love to have one that big. __________________ Julie Current Tank Info: 45 gallon reef tank - 1 O. Clown - 1 bicolor blenny - 1 canary blenny - 1 six line wrasse - 1 watchman goby and tiger pistol shrimp - hermits, snails, emerald crab, urchin - sun coral - frogspawn - candy cane, variety of softies

07/07/2009, 07:26 PM	#5
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	I really would not use (or better put) pay the extra $$ for Live Sand. Use regular sand for your sand bed. Get a cup of sand from an established tank to seed your sand bed with. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

07/08/2009, 05:57 AM	#7
Saltdog813 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Apollo Beach FL, Posts: 144	Thanks for all the input. Tell me if this is a no no going to get some sand from the beach? __________________ Jack Marineland 150 gallon Current Tank Info: 75 Gal Rectangle/cube Sea Horse tank, 150 Gal Marineland SW Reef

07/08/2009, 06:57 AM	#11
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	You definitely don't want to take the sand from the shore. There are way too many pollutants on the beach and in the shallows. You'd need to go out a ways to collect sand. Also, check with the local laws to see if it's legal. Sand bed calculator __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.