Substrate size question?

Winand · 08/22/2016, 02:19 PM

Hello all,

I'm new to the saltwater side of this and I am in the (slow) process of setting up a 65 Reef tank.

After lurking here for several weeks and speaking with my LFS they all recommend Caribsea Aragonite as the substrate, however I get different recommendations on the size.

My tank is 36L x 18D x 25H and I plan on using a shallow sand bed with one, maybe two, Jebcao pp-4 power heads. I want a sand bed that will be friendly to the CUC but not blow around from the current.

Looking at Caribsea's website and my LFS I cant decide between the Aragamax select, the Aragamax Sugar-Sized, or the Fiji Pink. My LFS carry pretty much all of the Caribsea's products so shipping etc. isn't an issue.

Can anyone here make a recommendation or provide some insight to which one would be best?

http://www.caribsea.com/caribsea_aragonite.html

Thanks,
Chris
65- Reef Tank in progress (Still Dry)

gone fishin · 08/22/2016, 07:02 PM

If you do not want to deal with sand blowing around then personally I would stay away from the sugar-sized aragonite. Good luck just my 2 cents.

JaySchulz · 08/22/2016, 07:14 PM

Yea I had oolite in my last tank and although it looked really good, it was a pain in the ***. I'm pretty set on trying Fiji pink on my next tank.

mcgyvr · 08/23/2016, 08:32 AM

Stay away from anything in the 1.0mm max or smaller range..

with 2 of those powerheads you will be blowing sugar sand all over the place..

jd371 · 08/23/2016, 11:25 AM

I have Oolite in a 75gal with 2 Jebao 8's. It took some trial and error, but I have it now that I get good flow without any storms. I do get a puff of sand when my Melanurus goes to sleep. The only issue I have with this sand is when I siphon sand (cyano), I lose some when siphoning. I will need to replace some sand soon and will be adding something coarser.

thegrun · 08/23/2016, 12:46 PM

Carib Sea Special Grade Reef Sand is recommended by 9 out of 10 reefers for those who use sand.

Winand · 08/23/2016, 08:08 PM

Thanks everyone for the advice.
I was leaning towards the coarser stuff to begin with, this just confirms it.

Special grade reef it is.

Thanks,
Chris

08/22/2016, 02:19 PM	#1
Winand Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Treasure Coast Florida Posts: 7	Substrate size question? Hello all, I'm new to the saltwater side of this and I am in the (slow) process of setting up a 65 Reef tank. After lurking here for several weeks and speaking with my LFS they all recommend Caribsea Aragonite as the substrate, however I get different recommendations on the size. My tank is 36L x 18D x 25H and I plan on using a shallow sand bed with one, maybe two, Jebcao pp-4 power heads. I want a sand bed that will be friendly to the CUC but not blow around from the current. Looking at Caribsea's website and my LFS I cant decide between the Aragamax select, the Aragamax Sugar-Sized, or the Fiji Pink. My LFS carry pretty much all of the Caribsea's products so shipping etc. isn't an issue. Can anyone here make a recommendation or provide some insight to which one would be best? http://www.caribsea.com/caribsea_aragonite.html Thanks, Chris 65- Reef Tank in progress (Still Dry)

08/22/2016, 07:02 PM	#2
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	If you do not want to deal with sand blowing around then personally I would stay away from the sugar-sized aragonite. Good luck just my 2 cents. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

08/23/2016, 08:32 AM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Stay away from anything in the 1.0mm max or smaller range.. with 2 of those powerheads you will be blowing sugar sand all over the place.. __________________ Who me?

08/22/2016, 07:14 PM	#3
JaySchulz Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 440	Yea I had oolite in my last tank and although it looked really good, it was a pain in the ***. I'm pretty set on trying Fiji pink on my next tank.

08/23/2016, 11:25 AM	#5
jd371 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Long Island Posts: 615	I have Oolite in a 75gal with 2 Jebao 8's. It took some trial and error, but I have it now that I get good flow without any storms. I do get a puff of sand when my Melanurus goes to sleep. The only issue I have with this sand is when I siphon sand (cyano), I lose some when siphoning. I will need to replace some sand soon and will be adding something coarser.

08/23/2016, 12:46 PM	#6
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Carib Sea Special Grade Reef Sand is recommended by 9 out of 10 reefers for those who use sand.

08/23/2016, 08:08 PM	#7
Winand Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Treasure Coast Florida Posts: 7	Thanks everyone for the advice. I was leaning towards the coarser stuff to begin with, this just confirms it. Special grade reef it is. Thanks, Chris