What sand grain size to pick?

[miserkris]

Hi

I have a 5yo, 75g bb mixed reef... with like 100lb LR.Bare bottom was nice but vacuuming the gunk is tedious. So I wanna add dry sand.

Since I have an mp40 and wp25.... is it a bad idea to go for fine sand like sugar size ? I do like the sugar size since its nice and fine. I wanna add nasarius snails. I do have lobo and grandis paly at the bottom. Need grain size small enough but that can prevent suction of sand into mp40.

How about Fiji pink sand? I'd love to have a pink sand substrate. Btw is it light pink ?

I don't want crushed coral or black substrate. I want that reflected light from sand to hit corals too.

Please advice.... what grain size is best for my sand. And how many lb for one inch high.

Thanks
Kris

 

[edd]

i used to use fine sugar sand, couldn't stop the sand storm.
i switched it out for caribsea special grade dry sand. if you use dry rinse it a couple of times. last rinse in ro water.

 

[homegrowncichlid]

adding sand is not going to prevent the debris from settling on the bottom. you need some sort of filter or strainer to catch it all.
If you're pushing 2000 gal/hr from the pumps, the sand will fly.
Sand is graded so 1mm is too small, 2mm I think is borderline, 3 mm and up would be OK, but then its called gravel.

 

[miserkris]

Thanks.

With sand at least gunk selling down won't look ugly. Imo.

Anyone have a pic of special grade in their tank?

 

[miserkris]

i read about tropic Eden. .. seems very white and bright.. might get that I think. Just debating whether to get reef flakes or mini flakes?

For my 75g what's best among the two?
I do have an mp40 and a wp25 and only need an inch. .... without getting blown around.

If anyone has pics that'd be great.

Thx

 

[Tonyscoots84]

Whatever you get make sure it has enough weight to it. I use pink fiji by caribsea and can't stand the way it moves everywhere with my 2 mp40's. The new sand I'm using is super reef grade lets see how that works out.....

 

[evoIX_Reefer]

I purchased Tropic Eden Reef Flakes for almost the same reason. I want to run high gph for my SPS. So far little to no movement unlike finer sand that blows away and leaves an empty void. I'd definitely suggest it.

Premium Aquatics just got it in so if you decide to run with Tropic Eden then you better order it soon! I pre-ordered it almost 4 weeks ago.

 

[mandown123]

i had fiji pink it didn't give me trouble on the blow-around. No, it wasn't really pink.

I have the sugar fine oolite now, and it looks the best, but its definitely not staying put.
I have spots with no sand and pile of sand next to the mp40.

this is in a 30G long.

 

[miserkris]

I purchased Tropic Eden Reef Flakes for almost the same reason. I want to run high gph for my SPS. So far little to no movement unlike finer sand that blows away and leaves an empty void. I'd definitely suggest it.

Premium Aquatics just got it in so if you decide to run with Tropic Eden then you better order it soon! I pre-ordered it almost 4 weeks ago.

Is it true that it's the whitest sand coz I want corals to benefit from reflected light.

One site said I need 35 lb another said I need 45lb.I do have rocks in already in the bottom glass.
I need an inch high so I'm guessing the 30 lb bag would be enough?
What's ur advice?
Thanks

 

[BioMan]

Excuse me if this sounds silly, I've got no experience with bare bottom tanks, but if that's the look you like why wouldn't creating more flow keep the gunk suspended in the water and removed by skimmer?