Marco sand, fine vs. coarse?

ojonas81 · 05/26/2013, 08:31 AM

Hi all,

I am about to push the trigger on 160lbs sand from Marco rocks for my new 150G tank. Have heard that their fine sand gets blown around a lot so I am leaning towards the coarse sand. Question is, how coarse is the coarse version (like Fuji Pink or coarser?) and is it really as yellow as the picture on their site shows?

I would really appreciate pictures of tanks that uses both the fine and the coarse version to compare before I order.

Thanks!

kjboggs · 05/26/2013, 06:41 PM

I love the look of fine sand, but mine was a nightmare the first few months. Sandstorms, adjusting flow, getting on rocks. Get the course and still rinse very well, and you'll be happy.

boyer · 05/26/2013, 06:43 PM

Agree mine had been in for almost a year and my rocks constantly have sand on them I'm almost to the point of suckin all the sand out. Get a corse sand

ojonas81 · 05/26/2013, 09:29 PM

Thanks. Coarse it is. Is the color of the coarse really as yellow as the picture on Marco rocks shows?

How coarse are we talking about here? May want a sand sifting holy at some point. Not too coarse for him?

Arkayology · 05/27/2013, 01:55 AM

I wouldn't order either if I were you. I used their coarse and it is basically fine with some pebbles in it. It is also pretty ugly looking. I would spend a little more one and get some better sand.

ojonas81 · 05/27/2013, 07:16 AM

What sand do you prefer? I like the idea of a nice white sandy bottom but since the tank will be SPS dominated the flow will be high.

shifty51008 · 05/27/2013, 07:20 AM

caribisea special grade reef sand. very nice color and size, perfect for a goby.

Deep Reef · 05/27/2013, 07:24 AM

This forum recommended Caribsea SeaFloor Special Grade Reef Sand and it looks faily white and is large enough it doesn't blow all over.

animalkingdom · 05/27/2013, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ojonas81

Thanks. Coarse it is. Is the color of the coarse really as yellow as the picture on Marco rocks shows?

How coarse are we talking about here? May want a sand sifting holy at some point. Not too coarse for him?

The sand is impeccably white so dont let the photo fool you. I did the coarse on my current tank and wish I hadn't. Much of it is too big for gobies and over time the finer particles go to the bottom of the tank and the larger ones end up on top creating a unpleasant gradient. I'd go with a different sand altogether, but if you were set on Marco sand get the fine.

ojonas81 · 05/27/2013, 09:49 AM

Not set at Marco sand at all. have not found a lot of other alternatives when it comes to dry sand. Need a lot to cover 48" by 30" bottom with 2-3 inches of sand. Though I would save a few bucks and go with dry sand but guess I may have to rethink that and use Carib-Sea?

05/26/2013, 08:31 AM	#1
ojonas81 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,160	Marco sand, fine vs. coarse? Hi all, I am about to push the trigger on 160lbs sand from Marco rocks for my new 150G tank. Have heard that their fine sand gets blown around a lot so I am leaning towards the coarse sand. Question is, how coarse is the coarse version (like Fuji Pink or coarser?) and is it really as yellow as the picture on their site shows? I would really appreciate pictures of tanks that uses both the fine and the coarse version to compare before I order. Thanks!

05/27/2013, 01:55 AM	#5
Arkayology Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,597	I wouldn't order either if I were you. I used their coarse and it is basically fine with some pebbles in it. It is also pretty ugly looking. I would spend a little more one and get some better sand. __________________ -Matt in between tanks

05/27/2013, 07:20 AM	#7
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	caribisea special grade reef sand. very nice color and size, perfect for a goby. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

05/27/2013, 07:24 AM	#8
Deep Reef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Coral Springs, FL Posts: 1,192	This forum recommended Caribsea SeaFloor Special Grade Reef Sand and it looks faily white and is large enough it doesn't blow all over. __________________ Deep Reef ~Greg~ 150g DT, (2)AI Hydra 52 HD's, Vertex Omega 150 skimmer, jebao 1200DC main pump, Trigger Systems Sapphire 34 sump, (2) Ecotech WP40wQD, Tunze ATO, Apex Current Tank Info: 150g Reef

05/26/2013, 06:41 PM	#2
kjboggs Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 148	I love the look of fine sand, but mine was a nightmare the first few months. Sandstorms, adjusting flow, getting on rocks. Get the course and still rinse very well, and you'll be happy.

05/26/2013, 06:43 PM	#3
boyer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Oakland, Ca Posts: 128	Agree mine had been in for almost a year and my rocks constantly have sand on them I'm almost to the point of suckin all the sand out. Get a corse sand

05/26/2013, 09:29 PM	#4
ojonas81 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,160	Thanks. Coarse it is. Is the color of the coarse really as yellow as the picture on Marco rocks shows? How coarse are we talking about here? May want a sand sifting holy at some point. Not too coarse for him?

05/27/2013, 07:16 AM	#6
ojonas81 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,160	What sand do you prefer? I like the idea of a nice white sandy bottom but since the tank will be SPS dominated the flow will be high.

05/27/2013, 09:49 AM	#10
ojonas81 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,160	Not set at Marco sand at all. have not found a lot of other alternatives when it comes to dry sand. Need a lot to cover 48" by 30" bottom with 2-3 inches of sand. Though I would save a few bucks and go with dry sand but guess I may have to rethink that and use Carib-Sea?