Pros and Cons of Sand

[richardhmc]

I'm planning to redo my 50 gallon tank and start with fresh sand. In my previous tank, I used a certain sand that was made out of crushed shells.
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16765 <<< this one

Over time, the shells do come up onto the surface and it becomes like a shell graveyard. I'm trying to get the clean sand bad look which I seem to have a terrible time with.

So, is it better to pick a fine sand or pick something with more material?

I've been told that with fine sand, the slightest disturbance will kick up clouds of sand and whatever is being trapped underneath. I put my hand into the tank a lot, rearranging the frags, feeding, cleaning, etc and sand is constantly moved. So if thats the case, then nitrates might spike up and down, shocking the tank.

Also, I'd like to get a blue spot jawfish, and I know they are burrowers so would they need fine sand?

Any suggestions? What kind of sand do you use? Brand?

 

[THEDLO]

fine sand gets blown around much more easily...i used this LINK

 

[richardhmc]

fine sand gets blown around much more easily...i used this LINK

yup thats what im thinking. that looks like a pretty fine sand no?

 

[pyekhine]

I got fine grain sand and i'm paying for it now. My maroon clown always make a mess digging sand. My LR are alway covered with sand. Last week, powerhead suction cup fail and made a mess in my tank.

 

[THEDLO]

yup thats what im thinking. that looks like a pretty fine sand no?

watch my vid i have close ups of it.

 

[D1J8Z]

I wish I had no to very very little sand just enough to cover the bottom to reflect the light

 

[richardhmc]

I wish I had no to very very little sand just enough to cover the bottom to reflect the light

I like sand just for its natural look, I don't think a bare bottom would look good to me. And if I do get burrowing fish, then its a must.

DLO- is that sand flying around in your video?

 

[OOtzie]

use ciclid sand you get in the bag, they're like granule size. Also ciclid sand has build in PH buffer and it's already has a PH8, easy to clean best idea.

 

[Imbarrie]

Im the process of switching from crushed coral to sand. Not happy at all with the CC in function and appearance.
Like the sand so far. The grain size is large enough so it's not getting stirred up. And I'm sure it won't collect as much detritus.


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[richardhmc]

Can you give me brands and name of the sands you use?

 

[PeterD]

I use a large sized sand at the bottom than a mix of large and fine on top i like that look of it

 

[Imbarrie]

I found mine in the marketplace so I don't know. I do know it was mostly Carib sea. Nor sure what grain size but if you go to a store with a good selection you should be able to find it.
I first started with sand so fine it was a white out in my tank. The CC was my cure but I went too large. What I have now is a great middle size.


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[E.intheC]

Reef Floor Special Grade is the best overall, IMO. It's larger than sugar sized so it wont get blown around all over the place, but it's not nearly as big as crushed coral.

Honestly, I'm going barebottom. I just got through taking out 90% of my sand (through two water changes), and will continue to get the rest out over the next week or two..

 

[ming]

I used fine sand because I love the look. I just avoid fish that dig.
Bare bottom looks too cold/sterile to me. Totally kills the natural look I am going for.

 

[guarda]

I use this from Petland Discounts and like it so far but then again, I have no other reference. It's a nice bright white, not too fine. Kinda reminds me of the sand from Cancun, not too grainy either. Just make sure to rinse and soak or you'll get the clumpies.

 

[richardhmc]

I use this from Petland Discounts and like it so far but then again, I have no other reference. It's a nice bright white, not too fine. Kinda reminds me of the sand from Cancun, not too grainy either. Just make sure to rinse and soak or you'll get the clumpies.

That link led me to a sand with an extra T in the word. :tongue1:


I'm looking for a sand that's not too fine because there will definitely be a lot of sand movement, and also something not too chunky as crushed coral.

That reef floor sand sounds good. I'll look that up thanks.

 

[guarda]

Whoops. It's Estes Marine Sand.

 

[knockout]

I used Samoa Pink Gravel #2 in my tank and will use it again next month when I redo my tank, nice color and it really isnt gravel is just large grain sand and my burrowing fish love it and it does not get brown away at all

 

[Wes]

I like the super fine stuff. Eventually it all settled to a point where it doesn't get blown around. Then I fill in the high flow bare spots with crushed coral.


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[DrHarryLopez]

I use this from Petland Discounts and like it so far but then again, I have no other reference. It's a nice bright white, not too fine. Kinda reminds me of the sand from Cancun, not too grainy either. Just make sure to rinse and soak or you'll get the clumpies.

+1 Petsand sand, Sugar sized, I dont have any problem