Appropriate sand for DSB

[supersaltlick]

Does it matter what grain size I use for my DSB? I will probably be using some caribsea aragonite. Is anyone here aware of anyplace that carries aragonite for less? I didn't see anything at HD or Lowes. Maybe truvalue/Ace hardware????

 

[tk1360]

I doubt you will find the caribsea brand anywhere other than a fish store. Maybe shop around online for a cheaper price and usually if buying in bulk the shipper will eat the shipping costs

 

[sjj80]

definitely stick with the caribsea and don't purchase the store bought sand from walmart, HD, lowes, etc. It's not worth the risk of contaminating your tank. If you order online I know Marine Depot has a deal to where if you spend over $175 your shipping is free, also if you find a supplier that delivers two day ground to your home you can save some shipping cost that way too.

 

[supersaltlick]

would it be appropriate to use a fine sand such as oolite for DSB or is it better to use a more coarse sand (1-2mm)?

 

[underpar]

Drs Foster & Smith (an RC sponsor) has the best deal for shipping heavy objects like sand and salt.

Good luck, Fred

 

[L and L]

The smaller the grain size the larger the surface area....which means the more bacteria can live on it.... so, the more effective the biological filtering.

0.2mm to 1.2mm is recommended.

Oolitic means egg-shaped. Some like silica, but I prefer aragonite sand.

 

[sjj80]

I use fine live arogonite sand from caribsea.

 

[drummereef]

Caribsea make really nice products. I would look for a sand that is between 0.5-1.5mm grain size for a DSB. Works for me.

 

[saltpeter]

Aragamax sand , Drs Foster & Smith , 22.99, 30# bag, as many bags as you want for 17.99 total shipping.

 

[JOSEPHLB]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9497231#post9497231 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by underpar
Drs Foster & Smith (an RC sponsor) has the best deal for shipping heavy objects like sand and salt.

Good luck, Fred

I can concur to this fact.
Just received my order last week. 200g of Oceanic sea salt (weighed 68 lbs) , in addition to 100 lbs of Seachem Meridian substrate... and a couple of other items.

Received everything in six days, for a total shipping cost of $14.99