HELP...Gravel or Sand for my new 46GAL Reef Tank

NOsushi4me · 02/08/2015, 07:31 PM

I am setting up a new saltwater reef tank and want to know if gravel is acceptable to use. I have had my eye on the hawaiian black gravel but a few people have told me that with reef tanks ... sand is the way to go. The issue I have with it is that no matter how I rearrange the rocks, power head, etc.... it blows out of the corners and I can see the bottom of the tank. I would be ok with sand maybe if it was a little heavier or would stay put. Would gravel be ok? If not ... why is it a bad choice?

Pife · 02/08/2015, 09:31 PM

I would use gravel. Get courser sand. It doesn't now around as easy.

sschnelk · 02/08/2015, 09:34 PM

My opinion is to maybe look at a slightly larger grain size and use sand instead of gravel. Aesthetics are important as we all know, but I think you'll find more successful tanks with sand than with gravel. Worth noting is that sand that has been in a reef tank for a while doesn't blow around quite as easily as brand new sand in my experience. I think the bacteria and other flora/fauna in the sand bed tend to make it a bit more stable. Maybe some more experienced reefers have different opinions. Good luck with whatever you choose.

NOsushi4me · 02/09/2015, 07:36 AM

Thank you sschnelk!!!

@ Pife .... Are you saying you would NOT use gravel?

cloak · 02/09/2015, 11:48 AM

Is doesn't really matter what you use IMO as long as you keep it clean.

Your just going to have to experiment with the different grain sizes until you find one that works for you.

Sk8r · 02/09/2015, 11:48 AM

Aragonite 'sand' ---medium sized grains. Won't blow, and helps maintain tank chemistry.

cloak · 02/09/2015, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

Aragonite 'sand' ---medium sized grains. Won't blow, and helps maintain tank chemistry.

Can you define "medium sized grains." Is that what is says on the bag, or is each individual grain a certain size? It's only a matter of increments before sand is known as gravel or CC.

Pife · 02/09/2015, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOsushi4me

Thank you sschnelk!!!

@ Pife .... Are you saying you would NOT use gravel?

I wouldn't use it. I didn't proof read well enough.

FraggledRock · 02/09/2015, 12:02 PM

I have the Carib Sea Aragonite. wouldst use anything else.

Check this thread out:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=141634

you could keep what you have and just add the courser stuff? the sand i believe would settle lower and the larger pieces would become the top layer. physics =P

NOsushi4me · 02/10/2015, 08:22 PM

Awesome! Thank you so much everyone ... the help is much appreciated. I just got the tank tonight so I'm checking for leaks with tap water. I also need to grab a liner to go between the tank & stand ... very excited.

02/08/2015, 07:31 PM	#1
NOsushi4me Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: PA Posts: 119	HELP...Gravel or Sand for my new 46GAL Reef Tank I am setting up a new saltwater reef tank and want to know if gravel is acceptable to use. I have had my eye on the hawaiian black gravel but a few people have told me that with reef tanks ... sand is the way to go. The issue I have with it is that no matter how I rearrange the rocks, power head, etc.... it blows out of the corners and I can see the bottom of the tank. I would be ok with sand maybe if it was a little heavier or would stay put. Would gravel be ok? If not ... why is it a bad choice?

02/08/2015, 09:31 PM	#2
Pife Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 7,408	I would use gravel. Get courser sand. It doesn't now around as easy. __________________ Brandon I'm not saying let's get rid of all the stupid people.* I'm just saying let's remove all the warning labels and let the problem work itself out. Current Tank Info: 150g DT plumbed to an 80g frag tank and 220g sump in the basement. ~6-MP40s ~ 12 ATI powered t5s ~ Reefbrites and Radions supplementing ~ Custom GEO Skimmer ~ GEO CA Reactor 6x24~ Iwaki 70 Return ~

02/09/2015, 11:48 AM	#6
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Aragonite 'sand' ---medium sized grains. Won't blow, and helps maintain tank chemistry. __________________ 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%.

02/09/2015, 12:02 PM	#9
FraggledRock Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: New York, New York Posts: 2,185	I have the Carib Sea Aragonite. wouldst use anything else. Check this thread out: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=141634 you could keep what you have and just add the courser stuff? the sand i believe would settle lower and the larger pieces would become the top layer. physics =P __________________ “For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.”― Jacques-Yves Cousteau MarineBio.org Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder w/ Bean Animal Overflow 20G Sump, Mixed Reef.

02/08/2015, 09:34 PM	#3
sschnelk Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 42	My opinion is to maybe look at a slightly larger grain size and use sand instead of gravel. Aesthetics are important as we all know, but I think you'll find more successful tanks with sand than with gravel. Worth noting is that sand that has been in a reef tank for a while doesn't blow around quite as easily as brand new sand in my experience. I think the bacteria and other flora/fauna in the sand bed tend to make it a bit more stable. Maybe some more experienced reefers have different opinions. Good luck with whatever you choose.

02/09/2015, 07:36 AM	#4
NOsushi4me Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: PA Posts: 119	Thank you sschnelk!!! @ Pife .... Are you saying you would NOT use gravel?

02/09/2015, 11:48 AM	#5
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	Is doesn't really matter what you use IMO as long as you keep it clean. Your just going to have to experiment with the different grain sizes until you find one that works for you.

02/10/2015, 08:22 PM	#10
NOsushi4me Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: PA Posts: 119	Awesome! Thank you so much everyone ... the help is much appreciated. I just got the tank tonight so I'm checking for leaks with tap water. I also need to grab a liner to go between the tank & stand ... very excited.