shallow sand bed - what type of sand?

sneeyatch · 03/21/2007, 01:47 PM

switching tanks to a 90 gallon soon. i have a 75 that's been up for a few years with a deep sand bed. in the new tank, i want a shallow sand bed with a really fine (sugar size) grain.

a buddy of mine recommended triple washed sand that they use on job sites for mixing mortar.

any suggestions?

thanks

awestruck · 03/22/2007, 08:00 AM

FWIW I have been taught that a DSB or no sandbed is the best choice. A shallow bed isn't deep enough to filter but definitely deep enough to trap detritus which will cause problems. That doesn't answer your question but might be worth thinking about.

K9 · 03/22/2007, 08:15 AM

I've used CaribSea Aragamax on several occasions with much success. I prefer a SSB as well. I just have to have a natural look to my tanks. Usually 1" deep is sufficient. I would stir it once a week or two to mix things up.

sjm817 · 03/22/2007, 08:37 AM

I also run a SSB. I dont like the look of a DSB or BB. I like to have just a couple of inches of sand to make it look good. I run Aragonite reef sand. Its coarser than the fine stuff. It stays put better when you have high flow Tunzes and what not. The fine stuff blows around too easily.

ionredline0260 · 03/22/2007, 09:02 AM

any sandy sand is good

I wouldn't worry about problems with a SSB. Most every one that runs them do it with out issues (you'd see alot more threads if they did)

buoymarker28 · 03/22/2007, 10:25 AM

One thing to keep in mind if you are thinking about using crushed coral or argonite... they have a tendency to get stuck in the algae cleaning pads, which can then cause you to scratch the glass/acrylic....Just somethign to keep in mind. IMO if you are going with a 1-2 inch sand bed then use sand and not something like crushed coral or argonite.

papagimp · 03/22/2007, 11:53 AM

If you are wanting a smaller sandbed, definatly stick with the sugar fine sands. Dont' go for any larger or even medium grade stuff. The finer sand will help give you some of that DSB effect without the space taken up. But it has to be fine enough to give the lower spaces of it an anerobic zone. Also, I would not stir this at all. If you want to stir and mix up the sandbed, better to go for a larger coarser sandgrade and keep up with tank maintance and filtering properly to battle any rises in nitrates that are likely to occur.

I also recommend that you avoid crushed coral altogether. Nice looking decoration, bad looking/filtering sandbed.

03/21/2007, 01:47 PM	#1
sneeyatch Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 1,312	shallow sand bed - what type of sand? switching tanks to a 90 gallon soon. i have a 75 that's been up for a few years with a deep sand bed. in the new tank, i want a shallow sand bed with a really fine (sugar size) grain. a buddy of mine recommended triple washed sand that they use on job sites for mixing mortar. any suggestions? thanks __________________ - Todd It's often the saddest of us working our hardest to make everyone laugh Current Tank Info: Tankless

03/22/2007, 08:00 AM	#2
awestruck Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,572	FWIW I have been taught that a DSB or no sandbed is the best choice. A shallow bed isn't deep enough to filter but definitely deep enough to trap detritus which will cause problems. That doesn't answer your question but might be worth thinking about. __________________ I received the best gift ever today: My son told me that he loves me. Current Tank Info: 65g. w/20g. sump; Reef Octopus Skimmer; (2) x 150w. MH and (2) x 65w. pc. sump-mixed reef

03/22/2007, 08:15 AM	#3
K9 Go ahead, hop the fence. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,450	I've used CaribSea Aragamax on several occasions with much success. I prefer a SSB as well. I just have to have a natural look to my tanks. Usually 1" deep is sufficient. I would stir it once a week or two to mix things up. __________________ Planning a big tank comeback for the year 20xx.

03/22/2007, 08:37 AM	#4
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	I also run a SSB. I dont like the look of a DSB or BB. I like to have just a couple of inches of sand to make it look good. I run Aragonite reef sand. Its coarser than the fine stuff. It stays put better when you have high flow Tunzes and what not. The fine stuff blows around too easily. __________________ - Scott

03/22/2007, 10:25 AM	#6
buoymarker28 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 150	One thing to keep in mind if you are thinking about using crushed coral or argonite... they have a tendency to get stuck in the algae cleaning pads, which can then cause you to scratch the glass/acrylic....Just somethign to keep in mind. IMO if you are going with a 1-2 inch sand bed then use sand and not something like crushed coral or argonite. __________________ A rolling stone gathers no moss Current Tank Info: 125 reef

03/22/2007, 09:02 AM	#5
ionredline0260 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Box Around the Corner Posts: 747	any sandy sand is good I wouldn't worry about problems with a SSB. Most every one that runs them do it with out issues (you'd see alot more threads if they did)

03/22/2007, 11:53 AM	#7
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	If you are wanting a smaller sandbed, definatly stick with the sugar fine sands. Dont' go for any larger or even medium grade stuff. The finer sand will help give you some of that DSB effect without the space taken up. But it has to be fine enough to give the lower spaces of it an anerobic zone. Also, I would not stir this at all. If you want to stir and mix up the sandbed, better to go for a larger coarser sandgrade and keep up with tank maintance and filtering properly to battle any rises in nitrates that are likely to occur. I also recommend that you avoid crushed coral altogether. Nice looking decoration, bad looking/filtering sandbed. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011