What sand to use for sandbed?

Branespikin · 02/06/2015, 08:14 PM

Hi- what sand is best to use for my sandbed? How many inches is recommended for my 75 gallon. Going to set it up for reef just a few fish. Something not too fine i guess planning on gettig gyre 150 so dont want sand blowing around. I dont want a DSB either.
What are you guys using??

gone fishin · 02/06/2015, 08:17 PM

I used a dry aragonite sand the local LFS had. I don't remember the brand. I prefer between 1-2 inch sand bed. BTW on the home page under calculators there is one to figure how much you need for the depth of sand you want. Good luck.

banthonyb71 · 02/06/2015, 08:20 PM

Are you doing DSP? I've used Carib Sea and Reef Flakes. both worked great for me.

banthonyb71 · 02/06/2015, 08:25 PM

I've been hearing alot of bus about this natures Ocean Alive stuff. I think is pulled straight from the sea unaltered. but I dont know if I'd want to take the risk of unwanted hitchhikers.

Mark_C · 02/06/2015, 08:44 PM

At the general rule of 1 pound equals 1" per gallon you'd need 75 pounds of substrate for a 1" bed, 120 pounds would do a nice 1 1/2 inch bed and leave some spare for a sump.

I've been doing a load of research for a shallow reef I'm setting up. A few stood out but I went with 'CaribSea Aragonite Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand'. Its not live, its dry, needs to be rinsed, doesn't blow around, supports sand sifters, has fantastic reviews.

I'm not a fan of PetSmart, but they sell this $35 a bag. They offer $5 off orders over $50, free (or 99c) shipping, and you can easily find a $10 off coupon on line. I paid $64 for 2 bags (80 pounds) delivered. Can't beat that.

PetSmart
Fosters and Smith
Amazon

ca1ore · 02/06/2015, 10:12 PM

Special grade sea floor sand is my preference for a shallow in display sand bed (less than 3 inches). For my RDSB/cryptic zone tank, I use the really fine sugar sized sand.

itche_scratche · 02/06/2015, 10:32 PM

I used tropic eden reef flake dry sand. Very nice white

Branespikin · 02/07/2015, 07:43 PM

From all the research i have been doing i keep comming across the Carib sea dry argonite you guys are mentioning along with the reef flakes. I think an 1-1/2 to 2 will be great. I am going to look into this Pet Smart offer (Mark_C)you are talking about.

Thanks for reaching out guys.
Will check that calculator out too.

I got miracle mud for my refugium.

reefchase · 02/08/2015, 02:36 AM

my fav is the pink Fiji sand from amazon or Bulk Reef Supply looks great nice for deep sand beds and has crushed shells in it. hope this helps

Branespikin · 02/08/2015, 08:42 AM

I went ahead and purchased 120 pounds of caribsea argaonite special grade reef sand. 97$ With all discounts and shipped. Now i guess i just seed my dry sand with a few cups of my live sand and put my live rock in and i should be fine?

Dmorty217 · 02/08/2015, 09:41 AM

I used 450lbs of oolite sized aragonite sand for my DSB in my 220g. The sandbed was 6-7" throughout when I set the tank up roughly 2 yrs ago, now it's between 4-5" since the 100% aragonite breaks down after time in our tanks

moondoggy4 · 02/08/2015, 10:27 AM

I think that Reef Flakes is back in stock, so this a good chance to get some.

Palting · 02/08/2015, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Branespikin

I went ahead and purchased 120 pounds of caribsea argaonite special grade reef sand. 97$ With all discounts and shipped. Now i guess i just seed my dry sand with a few cups of my live sand and put my live rock in and i should be fine?

Yup, that will work to seed the sand.

Then, the looong wait for a cycle. Good luck!

Branespikin · 02/09/2015, 08:55 PM

What you mean long wait for cycle?? I cant put my anenomes and mushrooms, star fish and crabs back in right away??

Branespikin · 02/09/2015, 09:03 PM

I have a 46 bowfront setup and running for a few months now with 55 lbs live fiji rock. Bta, LTBA, mushrooms, starfish some CUC and a kenya tree. Your telling me i cant put this back in as soon as i put the sand in? I am planning on using water from 46 and adding the rest to fill it up.

Branespikin · 02/09/2015, 09:04 PM

I will also transfer the rock in there too

Branespikin · 02/09/2015, 09:06 PM

This is whats in my tank

meidinad · 02/09/2015, 10:01 PM

+1 for Special Grade Seafloor. For a shallow sand bed (my preference) it looks great and doesn't blow around!

02/06/2015, 08:14 PM	#1
Branespikin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: College Point, NY Posts: 55	What sand to use for sandbed? Hi- what sand is best to use for my sandbed? How many inches is recommended for my 75 gallon. Going to set it up for reef just a few fish. Something not too fine i guess planning on gettig gyre 150 so dont want sand blowing around. I dont want a DSB either. What are you guys using??

02/06/2015, 08:17 PM	#2
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	I used a dry aragonite sand the local LFS had. I don't remember the brand. I prefer between 1-2 inch sand bed. BTW on the home page under calculators there is one to figure how much you need for the depth of sand you want. Good luck. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

02/06/2015, 08:25 PM	#4
banthonyb71 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 635	I've been hearing alot of bus about this natures Ocean Alive stuff. I think is pulled straight from the sea unaltered. but I dont know if I'd want to take the risk of unwanted hitchhikers. Last edited by banthonyb71; 02/06/2015 at 08:39 PM.

02/06/2015, 10:12 PM	#6
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Special grade sea floor sand is my preference for a shallow in display sand bed (less than 3 inches). For my RDSB/cryptic zone tank, I use the really fine sugar sized sand. __________________ 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

02/06/2015, 10:32 PM	#7
itche_scratche Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 58	I used tropic eden reef flake dry sand. Very nice white __________________ Breathe in Calm... Breathe out Smile ...

02/06/2015, 08:20 PM	#3
banthonyb71 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 635	Are you doing DSP? I've used Carib Sea and Reef Flakes. both worked great for me.

02/06/2015, 08:44 PM	#5
Mark_C Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Brick, NJ Posts: 139	At the general rule of 1 pound equals 1" per gallon you'd need 75 pounds of substrate for a 1" bed, 120 pounds would do a nice 1 1/2 inch bed and leave some spare for a sump. I've been doing a load of research for a shallow reef I'm setting up. A few stood out but I went with 'CaribSea Aragonite Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand'. Its not live, its dry, needs to be rinsed, doesn't blow around, supports sand sifters, has fantastic reviews. I'm not a fan of PetSmart, but they sell this $35 a bag. They offer $5 off orders over $50, free (or 99c) shipping, and you can easily find a $10 off coupon on line. I paid $64 for 2 bags (80 pounds) delivered. Can't beat that. PetSmart Fosters and Smith Amazon

02/07/2015, 07:43 PM	#8
Branespikin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: College Point, NY Posts: 55	From all the research i have been doing i keep comming across the Carib sea dry argonite you guys are mentioning along with the reef flakes. I think an 1-1/2 to 2 will be great. I am going to look into this Pet Smart offer (Mark_C)you are talking about. Thanks for reaching out guys. Will check that calculator out too. I got miracle mud for my refugium.

02/08/2015, 02:36 AM	#9
reefchase Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Seattle Posts: 38	my fav is the pink Fiji sand from amazon or Bulk Reef Supply looks great nice for deep sand beds and has crushed shells in it. hope this helps __________________ Please visit my youtube reef videos at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpLi-JEGBxwtl2JIfsUmAtA Current Tank Info: I currently have a 75 gal mixed reef tank

02/08/2015, 08:42 AM	#10
Branespikin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: College Point, NY Posts: 55	I went ahead and purchased 120 pounds of caribsea argaonite special grade reef sand. 97$ With all discounts and shipped. Now i guess i just seed my dry sand with a few cups of my live sand and put my live rock in and i should be fine?

02/08/2015, 09:41 AM	#11
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	I used 450lbs of oolite sized aragonite sand for my DSB in my 220g. The sandbed was 6-7" throughout when I set the tank up roughly 2 yrs ago, now it's between 4-5" since the 100% aragonite breaks down after time in our tanks __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

02/08/2015, 10:27 AM	#12
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	I think that Reef Flakes is back in stock, so this a good chance to get some.

02/09/2015, 08:55 PM	#14
Branespikin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: College Point, NY Posts: 55	What you mean long wait for cycle?? I cant put my anenomes and mushrooms, star fish and crabs back in right away??

02/09/2015, 09:03 PM	#15
Branespikin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: College Point, NY Posts: 55	I have a 46 bowfront setup and running for a few months now with 55 lbs live fiji rock. Bta, LTBA, mushrooms, starfish some CUC and a kenya tree. Your telling me i cant put this back in as soon as i put the sand in? I am planning on using water from 46 and adding the rest to fill it up.

02/09/2015, 09:04 PM	#16
Branespikin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: College Point, NY Posts: 55	I will also transfer the rock in there too

02/09/2015, 10:01 PM	#18
meidinad Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 61	+1 for Special Grade Seafloor. For a shallow sand bed (my preference) it looks great and doesn't blow around!