Sand questions from Alaska

keithlnichols · 05/16/2011, 03:28 PM

Hello, I'm completely new to this whole thread thing so if i mess things up somehow, or just sound stupid bare with me please. My name is Keith, and I live in Sutton, Alaska. On a map, thats about 15 miles away from Palmer and about 45 miles away from Anchorage. I've always had a 55g fresh water aquarium and have always wanted a salt water set up, but because of living situations or reliable POWER, have never been daring enough to make the jump...
A trip to the LFS got to me a few years ago and I've been determined to have an awe inspiring reef tank ever since. A guy working there turned me on to Reef Central for my information needs and I've been grateful ever since. I usually find my answers searching and reading threads for hours and hours, but...
I'm nearly finished with my new tank build, that has taken over a large portion of the house. The dimensions are 76"34"34" My tank is built and I'm currently, slowly, working on my sump and filtration system. (My wife can only share my attention for so long)
My question is; I intended on having or wanted to have, a DSB aquarium. My problem and question is about the cost of sand and or alternatives. So far my entire project has been DIY with lots and lots of internet help! I was lucky enough to get all the glass for my tank with the purchase of my house 5 years ago. This has been its destiny for a while now... So, yes I guess I'm trying to be cost effective where I can. Live sand at my box store LFS is nearly $35. for a 20# bag. I need around 400# or more! not gonna happen. If it was just me and I didn't have a family to feed yeah...
I've been to Lowes and Home depot they don't carry the same sand box, play sand like the East coast does. Alaskan beaches along the coast are mostly gravel and silt, lol. Any useful suggestions, questions and help on this subject would be gratefully appreciated!

Jstdv8 · 06/03/2011, 12:46 AM

Keith,
There are a few tanks for sale on alaskafragswap.com from members breaking down. you might be able to buy the sand and some LR if needed off of those folks, might take the sand from two of their tanks to make a DSB for your tank. There is one guy in Anchorage that is selling his entire setup fairly reasonable, you could strip out what you need and sell off the rest in pieces or something. I got all the sand for my 120 from somebody breaking down thier tank for 40 bucks for 2 x 5g pails full. might take some time to find the right deal but they are out there.
I live in Wasilla, we have a couple of ok stores here in town right next to each other in case you didn't know. and Coral fanatics in Anchorage is AWESOME!

thebkramer · 06/03/2011, 05:03 AM

WELCOME TO RC & THE ADDICTION!!

Would LOVE to see some pics of your progress!!! Sounds like a GORGEOUS BUILD!!!

vorm · 06/03/2011, 10:24 AM

IMO, there is no need to buy live sand. As you noticed it cost a lot more and who knows how "alive" it really is in those bags. Dry sand will become alive over time and is a lot cheaper. However, don't use the playbox sand for Home Depot or Lowes, it's going to cause you a lot of problems that will never go away. Get a good aragonite sand that is for use in reef tanks.

WaterKeeper · 06/03/2011, 12:27 PM

I'm with using aragonite and then seeding it with about 10 lbs of true LS. It takes about a month longer to start the tank than using all LS but it save many a $$$ which can be used on things such a lighting a live stock.

I wonder if sand from Anchorage Bay can be used in a tropical reef tank? Probably not as the organisms in the bed probably are quite different.

05/16/2011, 03:28 PM	#1
keithlnichols Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Alaska Posts: 5	Sand questions from Alaska Hello, I'm completely new to this whole thread thing so if i mess things up somehow, or just sound stupid bare with me please. My name is Keith, and I live in Sutton, Alaska. On a map, thats about 15 miles away from Palmer and about 45 miles away from Anchorage. I've always had a 55g fresh water aquarium and have always wanted a salt water set up, but because of living situations or reliable POWER, have never been daring enough to make the jump... A trip to the LFS got to me a few years ago and I've been determined to have an awe inspiring reef tank ever since. A guy working there turned me on to Reef Central for my information needs and I've been grateful ever since. I usually find my answers searching and reading threads for hours and hours, but... I'm nearly finished with my new tank build, that has taken over a large portion of the house. The dimensions are 76"34"34" My tank is built and I'm currently, slowly, working on my sump and filtration system. (My wife can only share my attention for so long) My question is; I intended on having or wanted to have, a DSB aquarium. My problem and question is about the cost of sand and or alternatives. So far my entire project has been DIY with lots and lots of internet help! I was lucky enough to get all the glass for my tank with the purchase of my house 5 years ago. This has been its destiny for a while now... So, yes I guess I'm trying to be cost effective where I can. Live sand at my box store LFS is nearly $35. for a 20# bag. I need around 400# or more! not gonna happen. If it was just me and I didn't have a family to feed yeah... I've been to Lowes and Home depot they don't carry the same sand box, play sand like the East coast does. Alaskan beaches along the coast are mostly gravel and silt, lol. Any useful suggestions, questions and help on this subject would be gratefully appreciated!

06/03/2011, 05:03 AM	#3
thebkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 3,198	WELCOME TO RC & THE ADDICTION!! Would LOVE to see some pics of your progress!!! Sounds like a GORGEOUS BUILD!!! __________________ Rhonda There is NO such things as Dumb Questions!! There are However.. Dumb Answers!!! ;) ____________ Current Tank Info: 55g reef....Current Orbit SunPaq Lights, HOB Eshopps, HOB AquaClear 110, 2-1400 Koralia Powerheads & 1 Nano Koralia, 40+ lbs LR, 2" LS

06/03/2011, 12:27 PM	#5
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	I'm with using aragonite and then seeding it with about 10 lbs of true LS. It takes about a month longer to start the tank than using all LS but it save many a $$$ which can be used on things such a lighting a live stock. I wonder if sand from Anchorage Bay can be used in a tropical reef tank? Probably not as the organisms in the bed probably are quite different. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

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06/03/2011, 12:46 AM	#2
Jstdv8 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wasilla, Alaska Posts: 1,420	Keith, There are a few tanks for sale on alaskafragswap.com from members breaking down. you might be able to buy the sand and some LR if needed off of those folks, might take the sand from two of their tanks to make a DSB for your tank. There is one guy in Anchorage that is selling his entire setup fairly reasonable, you could strip out what you need and sell off the rest in pieces or something. I got all the sand for my 120 from somebody breaking down thier tank for 40 bucks for 2 x 5g pails full. might take some time to find the right deal but they are out there. I live in Wasilla, we have a couple of ok stores here in town right next to each other in case you didn't know. and Coral fanatics in Anchorage is AWESOME!

06/03/2011, 10:24 AM	#4
vorm Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 210	IMO, there is no need to buy live sand. As you noticed it cost a lot more and who knows how "alive" it really is in those bags. Dry sand will become alive over time and is a lot cheaper. However, don't use the playbox sand for Home Depot or Lowes, it's going to cause you a lot of problems that will never go away. Get a good aragonite sand that is for use in reef tanks.