Choosing sand, quick question

kettlecorn · 04/27/2010, 01:56 PM

Hi,

I am buying live sand today and have to leave within an hour or so. I saw that marine depot has all kinds of live sand in a package but im not sure what the differences are. I know i want just fine sand and not crushed coral but are the different types (black, white, mixes) purely aesthetic?

reefvilla · 04/27/2010, 02:12 PM

Yes... all for looks. Live sand is live sand as far as bacteria goes.

I bought 160lbs. of sugar sand from Marco rocks and ended up taking it out because I couldn't get rid of the sand storm, just some FYI.

Fizz71 · 04/27/2010, 02:24 PM

Personally I don't buy live sand from a bag...their definition of live is different from what most people talk about. Just buy good aragonite sand and find a local reefer to "borrow" a cup of sand from to seed yours...or just wait for the live rock to do it.

kettlecorn · 04/27/2010, 03:13 PM

Got it thanks! I am going to go with aragonite fiji pink from Caribsea only because they have a 10lbs package for cheap.

luconi · 04/27/2010, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kettlecorn

Hi,

I am buying live sand today and have to leave within an hour or so. I saw that marine depot has all kinds of live sand in a package but im not sure what the differences are. I know i want just fine sand and not crushed coral but are the different types (black, white, mixes) purely aesthetic?

Well, as far as certain brands go I'm no expert, but it may be a good ideas to research brands of live sand that contain low amounts of silica in order to reduce the chance of an outbreak of diatoms.

I use aragonite

BeachBumm · 04/27/2010, 08:15 PM

+1 on Aragonite

kettlecorn · 04/27/2010, 09:37 PM

is aragonite the same as sand, or is it a type of sand?

Fizz71 · 04/27/2010, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kettlecorn

is aragonite the same as sand, or is it a type of sand?

Aragonite is a type of sand. Different sand has different benefits and potential issues (depending who you ask

) but aragonite is generally the most popular and also the most expensive and I've yet to see anybody "prefer" another sand over aragonite for a reef...it's usually a cost issue. I believe it's also the "roundest" in terms of shape where as other sands can be jagged...not like you'd be able to tell.

VacavilleFC3S · 04/27/2010, 10:12 PM

i use the finest sand i could possibly find, many hate it, i love it

James000 · 06/14/2010, 02:51 PM

I am in the process of choosing my sand...

I like the look of Caribsea Fiji Pink but I have only seen pictures...the whole "pink" throws me off because it looks pretty white...

Anyone using Fiji Pink? Does it have a pink tinge or is it white?

Thanks

04/27/2010, 01:56 PM	#1
kettlecorn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 308	Choosing sand, quick question Hi, I am buying live sand today and have to leave within an hour or so. I saw that marine depot has all kinds of live sand in a package but im not sure what the differences are. I know i want just fine sand and not crushed coral but are the different types (black, white, mixes) purely aesthetic?

06/14/2010, 02:51 PM	#10
James000 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 47	I am in the process of choosing my sand... I like the look of Caribsea Fiji Pink but I have only seen pictures...the whole "pink" throws me off because it looks pretty white... Anyone using Fiji Pink? Does it have a pink tinge or is it white? Thanks __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 90 Gal Rimless (48 x 24 x 18)

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04/27/2010, 02:12 PM	#2
reefvilla Moved On Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 464	Yes... all for looks. Live sand is live sand as far as bacteria goes. I bought 160lbs. of sugar sand from Marco rocks and ended up taking it out because I couldn't get rid of the sand storm, just some FYI.

04/27/2010, 02:24 PM	#3
Fizz71 FragSwapper Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Lawn, PA Posts: 5,800	Personally I don't buy live sand from a bag...their definition of live is different from what most people talk about. Just buy good aragonite sand and find a local reefer to "borrow" a cup of sand from to seed yours...or just wait for the live rock to do it.

04/27/2010, 03:13 PM	#4
kettlecorn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 308	Got it thanks! I am going to go with aragonite fiji pink from Caribsea only because they have a 10lbs package for cheap.

04/27/2010, 08:15 PM	#6
BeachBumm Registered Bumm Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 176	+1 on Aragonite

04/27/2010, 09:37 PM	#7
kettlecorn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 308	is aragonite the same as sand, or is it a type of sand?

04/27/2010, 10:12 PM	#9
VacavilleFC3S Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vacaville California Posts: 2,613	i use the finest sand i could possibly find, many hate it, i love it