how much sand?

maluskeeter · 06/01/2008, 03:45 PM

how much lbs of sand do I need for a 55 gallon tank?

I just want a normal bed, nothing too much or too little - sufficient enough for biological filtration also

thanks

demonsp · 06/01/2008, 03:49 PM

1 to 1.5 lbs per gallon.

joeychitwood · 06/01/2008, 04:29 PM

A "normal" amount of sand is a bit vague. Sand beds range from one inch to six inches in a tank that size. How deep were you planning on making the bed?

demonsp · 06/01/2008, 04:37 PM

3 to 4 inches is a great all around number for a newbie and best for a mixed reef tank. A 1 inch bed means low food source for any SB dependent critters and the benefits of the SB as a bio filter is wasted so its only eye candy but in some cases can be the way to go like a FO tank. Then above 4 inches you need to have an understanding of its needs or have good controll.

3 to 4 inches is easy to control and has great bio filtration ability.

joeychitwood · 06/01/2008, 04:47 PM

I have one inch of sand for aesthetic purposes only in my 54 corner tank with softies, LPS, SPS, clams and fish. My parameters are consistently normal, and my snails, conch and other inverts are healthy. Most filtration in the tank is accomplished by the LR.

06/01/2008, 03:45 PM	#1
maluskeeter Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 115	how much sand? how much lbs of sand do I need for a 55 gallon tank? I just want a normal bed, nothing too much or too little - sufficient enough for biological filtration also thanks

06/01/2008, 03:49 PM	#2
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	1 to 1.5 lbs per gallon.

06/01/2008, 04:29 PM	#3
joeychitwood Schrödinger's Mod Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 3,488	A "normal" amount of sand is a bit vague. Sand beds range from one inch to six inches in a tank that size. How deep were you planning on making the bed?

06/01/2008, 04:37 PM	#4
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	3 to 4 inches is a great all around number for a newbie and best for a mixed reef tank. A 1 inch bed means low food source for any SB dependent critters and the benefits of the SB as a bio filter is wasted so its only eye candy but in some cases can be the way to go like a FO tank. Then above 4 inches you need to have an understanding of its needs or have good controll. 3 to 4 inches is easy to control and has great bio filtration ability.

06/01/2008, 04:47 PM	#5
joeychitwood Schrödinger's Mod Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 3,488	I have one inch of sand for aesthetic purposes only in my 54 corner tank with softies, LPS, SPS, clams and fish. My parameters are consistently normal, and my snails, conch and other inverts are healthy. Most filtration in the tank is accomplished by the LR.