How Many Bags of Sands Should I Buy?

nuxx · 02/17/2014, 02:10 PM

Hey guys quick question...

I'm about to order some sand for my new tank.

Looking at getting 40 lb bags of CaribSea Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand.

I want an 1 to 2" of sand in the tank.

The dimensions are 120x29x31" ~ 470 gallon.

I have around 500 lbs of Marco Rock in there as well.

How many 40 lb bags should I order to get that depth?

Thanks so much

drew2007 · 02/17/2014, 02:16 PM

For a 2" sand bed you'd need 7 40lb bags.

nuxx · 02/17/2014, 02:32 PM

I was sort of thinking 6-8 bags.

I think the rock might have a big foot print as well...

drew2007 · 02/17/2014, 02:34 PM

6 will give you about 1.5-1.75" sand bed

http://www.garf.org/calculators/SandBedCalculator.asp

nuxx · 02/17/2014, 02:39 PM

Hmmm maybe 6 might be a good place to start.

Worst case I can order another one from DRFS and get free shipping...

Anyone have a coupon for DRFS btw? I just missed using my last one :/

ca1ore · 02/17/2014, 04:53 PM

You will want to put the lowest rocks directly on the tank bottom, as opposed to on top,of the sand. Consequently you will likely end up needing about 1/2 as much sand as you think - at least, that's the way it always seems to work out for me.

nuxx · 02/17/2014, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

You will want to put the lowest rocks directly on the tank bottom, as opposed to on top,of the sand. Consequently you will likely end up needing about 1/2 as much sand as you think - at least, that's the way it always seems to work out for me.

Thanks

Have them sitting on eggcrate now. Going to add the sand after.

This pic is with 1/2 to 2/3s of my rock. Picking up the rest from where it was curing this weekend.

Not aquascaped in the pic... just lumped on one side. Also using two really weak LED fixtures for a little light...

whosurcaddie · 02/17/2014, 05:00 PM

None go bare bottom.

rfgonzo · 02/17/2014, 06:09 PM

Just a FYI nuxx, there is a sanded calculator on the home page

nuxx · 02/17/2014, 06:11 PM

LOL oops thanks

02/17/2014, 02:10 PM	#1
nuxx RC Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 3,990	How Many Bags of Sands Should I Buy? Hey guys quick question... I'm about to order some sand for my new tank. Looking at getting 40 lb bags of CaribSea Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand. I want an 1 to 2" of sand in the tank. The dimensions are 120x29x31" ~ 470 gallon. I have around 500 lbs of Marco Rock in there as well. How many 40 lb bags should I order to get that depth? Thanks so much __________________ Peter TankStop - Fish and Coral 470G Display - Build Thread Current Tank Info: Retired - 470 Gallon Mixed Reef (120x29x31")

02/17/2014, 02:16 PM	#2
drew2007 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 976	For a 2" sand bed you'd need 7 40lb bags. __________________ 110g rimless, Elite Aquatics sump, JNS ConeS Co2, ATI Sunpower, Vortech, Digital Aquatics RKE

02/17/2014, 02:32 PM	#3
nuxx RC Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 3,990	I was sort of thinking 6-8 bags. I think the rock might have a big foot print as well... __________________ Peter TankStop - Fish and Coral 470G Display - Build Thread Current Tank Info: Retired - 470 Gallon Mixed Reef (120x29x31")

02/17/2014, 02:34 PM	#4
drew2007 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 976	6 will give you about 1.5-1.75" sand bed http://www.garf.org/calculators/SandBedCalculator.asp __________________ 110g rimless, Elite Aquatics sump, JNS ConeS Co2, ATI Sunpower, Vortech, Digital Aquatics RKE

02/17/2014, 02:39 PM	#5
nuxx RC Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 3,990	Hmmm maybe 6 might be a good place to start. Worst case I can order another one from DRFS and get free shipping... Anyone have a coupon for DRFS btw? I just missed using my last one :/ __________________ Peter TankStop - Fish and Coral 470G Display - Build Thread Current Tank Info: Retired - 470 Gallon Mixed Reef (120x29x31")

02/17/2014, 04:53 PM	#6
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	You will want to put the lowest rocks directly on the tank bottom, as opposed to on top,of the sand. Consequently you will likely end up needing about 1/2 as much sand as you think - at least, that's the way it always seems to work out for me. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

02/17/2014, 05:00 PM	#8
whosurcaddie Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,354	None go bare bottom.

02/17/2014, 06:09 PM	#9
rfgonzo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,280	Just a FYI nuxx, there is a sanded calculator on the home page

02/17/2014, 06:11 PM	#10
nuxx RC Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 3,990	LOL oops thanks __________________ Peter TankStop - Fish and Coral 470G Display - Build Thread Current Tank Info: Retired - 470 Gallon Mixed Reef (120x29x31")