Adding Different Sand Question

cayenne · 10/18/2009, 12:00 PM

I am currently using the Sugar sized Oolitic sand < 1.0mm and am not happy with the clarity of the water in a high flow tank...

If I add larger sand 1 - 2mm on top of the smaller grains...

Will the larger stay on top because of the displacement? Or will the heavier grains eventually sink to the bottom of the sand bed leaving me with the same problem all over again?

spamreefnew · 10/18/2009, 01:16 PM

i am not sure. but i do know that on a natural beach the larger grains all sink

pgammon · 10/18/2009, 03:04 PM

Actually, the small stuff will migrate to the bottom and the larger stuff will stay on top. HTH.

warr40 · 10/18/2009, 03:47 PM

in my tank i added the larger grain first and it eventually migrated to the top

cayenne · 10/18/2009, 04:29 PM

Thanks for the feedback! Sounds like my plan will work. Wanted to triple check prior to ordering it.

I thought the smaller stuff might sink to the bottom, but wasn't sure.

wdt2000 · 10/18/2009, 04:57 PM

Make sure that the larger sand cannot be blown around too. I did the same thing and now I am on grain size three.

I started with CaribSea Aragamax then added Special Grade Reef Sand (1.25–1.95 mm) and I am still getting fine particles being blown about. I plan to add some Bermuda Pink to high flow area to help keep things in place.

10/18/2009, 12:00 PM	#1
cayenne Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lynchburg, Virginia Posts: 472	Adding Different Sand Question I am currently using the Sugar sized Oolitic sand < 1.0mm and am not happy with the clarity of the water in a high flow tank... If I add larger sand 1 - 2mm on top of the smaller grains... Will the larger stay on top because of the displacement? Or will the heavier grains eventually sink to the bottom of the sand bed leaving me with the same problem all over again? __________________ Landen Current Tank Info: 300G, Bubble King SMII, Tunze 6101's, 250W MH's, Teco SeaChill Chiller, ACIII, MRC CR6 Calcium Reactor, 120 Watt Aqua UV

10/18/2009, 03:47 PM	#4
warr40 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: long island Posts: 442	in my tank i added the larger grain first and it eventually migrated to the top __________________ ---click my red house to see my 40 Breeder reef--- Current Tank Info: 10g reef and 40B reef(pending)

10/18/2009, 04:29 PM	#5
cayenne Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lynchburg, Virginia Posts: 472	Thanks for the feedback! Sounds like my plan will work. Wanted to triple check prior to ordering it. I thought the smaller stuff might sink to the bottom, but wasn't sure. __________________ Landen Current Tank Info: 300G, Bubble King SMII, Tunze 6101's, 250W MH's, Teco SeaChill Chiller, ACIII, MRC CR6 Calcium Reactor, 120 Watt Aqua UV

10/18/2009, 01:16 PM	#2
spamreefnew Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: rhodeisland Posts: 1,491	i am not sure. but i do know that on a natural beach the larger grains all sink

10/18/2009, 03:04 PM	#3
pgammon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Eastover, SC Posts: 282	Actually, the small stuff will migrate to the bottom and the larger stuff will stay on top. HTH.

10/18/2009, 04:57 PM	#6
wdt2000 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Mills River NC Posts: 904	Make sure that the larger sand cannot be blown around too. I did the same thing and now I am on grain size three. I started with CaribSea Aragamax then added Special Grade Reef Sand (1.25–1.95 mm) and I am still getting fine particles being blown about. I plan to add some Bermuda Pink to high flow area to help keep things in place.