Best substrate? Considering Special Grade Reef...

[Nerc]

I'd like a shallow sand bed, 1-2", and I'm considering CaribSea Dry Aragonite Special Grade Reef Sand. I've heard it compared to crushed coral which is supposed to be bad?

What kind of livestock can it support? Not that any of this is set in stone but I'm considering the following:

Ocellaris Clownfish
Yellow Watchman Goby/Candy Pistol
Angel Fish(bicolor/ flame/ coral beauty)
McCosker' Flasher Wrasse
Bartlett's Anthias
Firefish
Blood Shrimp
Cleaner Shrimp

Are there any negatives to this kind of sand or is there a better option? Also if anyone is using it and could provide some pictures of their sandbed that would be great! Thanks!

 

[dzfish17]

Im using the Caribsea reef grade sand in my FOWLR. It works great because it doesnt blow around and is easy to keep clean. Here is pic of my tank.

<a href="http://s1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee461/dzfish17/?action=view&current=DSCN4061.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee461/dzfish17/DSCN4061.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[jgraz]

I'm not using the above. However ive used both of these and like them very much Fiji pink live sand is really nice good size, no storms. Great stuff. The only one I like better is tropic Eden reef flakes.

 

[genesisblue]

Why is crushed coral supposed to be bad?

 

[Nerc]

Im using the Caribsea reef grade sand in my FOWLR. It works great because it doesnt blow around and is easy to keep clean. Here is pic of my tank.

<a href="http://s1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee461/dzfish17/?action=view&current=DSCN4061.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee461/dzfish17/DSCN4061.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Your tank looks great, so does the sand bed. Any close ups? Thanks for the pic!

 

[Nerc]

Why is crushed coral supposed to be bad?

Nitrate problems from what I've read, I'm not really one to be answering that though as I've got alot to learn.

 

[Saltwatercoral2]

I vote tropic eden reef flakes

 

[divinedragon13]

crushed coral traps a lot detritus in it and if not cleaned right raise nitrates though roof.
i had 10gal with cc bed that was like 3 mouths old i could take a siphon hose dig it in the cc and the water would come out black.i tried cleaning it up for a mouth before i took out cc and went to bare bottom.the nitrates lowered almost over night.

 

[deebs]

I vote tropic eden reef flakes

+1 tropic eden reef flakes

my 29 gallon has Caribsea sand and is great but I have seen a couple reefers with the tropic eden sand and I have to say im a little jealous even though its just sand lol.

 

[Billybatz9]

+1 tropic eden reef flakes

my 29 gallon has Caribsea sand and is great but I have seen a couple reefers with the tropic eden sand and I have to say im a little jealous even though its just sand lol.

Do you have A REGULAR 29 OR A BIOCUBE

 

[Sk8r]

aragonite doesn't compact and fuse the way cc does.

 

[TreyK]

reef flakes by tropic eden

 

[Billybatz9]

reef flakes by tropic eden

I like the way it looks, but it's quite pricey.

 

[mrssaltwater]

I have always used live Aragonite sand. I have never had any problems with it.

 

[TreyK]

I like the way it looks, but it's quite pricey.

Not a huge difference in price if you look here.
http://premiumaquatics.com/category/dry-substrate.html

 

[Billybatz9]

Not a huge difference in price if you look here.
http://premiumaquatics.com/category/dry-substrate.html

40 lbs caribsea special grade $41.42 + Free Shipping if you spend $49
30 lbs reefflakes $44.99 + $9.00 (Total $53.99 just for sand)

If you go with caribsea, you will get 10 extra lbs and can get a $10 item like purigen for the cost of what reeflakes charges for shipping, since drsfostersmith doesnt charge for shipping when you spend $49

You will end up saving $12.57 if you go with caribsea (if you need to purchase something else) to reach that $49 mark and you get 10 extra lbs of sand.

To me, I'd prefer reefflakes, but in the end, I feel like the sand will be the same color after a while. I do have to admit, I do love that white color. But how long will it stay white? And after a few vacuums, you might need to order more sand to add to your tank after siphoning some out after a while. But with caribsea, you will have that extra 10 lbs on hand

Just my thought.

 

[3dees]

I use it and love it. Drs F & S. free and fast shipping.

 

[NTP66]

40 lbs caribsea special grade $41.42 + Free Shipping if you spend $49
30 lbs reefflakes $44.99 + $9.00 (Total $53.99 just for sand)

If you go with caribsea, you will get 10 extra lbs and can get a $10 item like purigen for the cost of what reeflakes charges for shipping, since drsfostersmith doesnt charge for shipping when you spend $49

You will end up saving $12.57 if you go with caribsea (if you need to purchase something else) to reach that $49 mark and you get 10 extra lbs of sand.

To me, I'd prefer reefflakes, but in the end, I feel like the sand will be the same color after a while. I do have to admit, I do love that white color. But how long will it stay white? And after a few vacuums, you might need to order more sand to add to your tank after siphoning some out after a while. But with caribsea, you will have that extra 10 lbs on hand

Just my thought.

You get what you pay for, IMO. I have Tropic Eden Miniflake (around the rockwork) and Reeflake, and would never think of switching to anything else. Though my tank is only 18 months old, the sand still looks outstanding, and much better than some of the younger Caribsea tanks of friends I know.

 

[DavidinGA]

I really like oolite and use it myself. It's the most natural looking imo.

 

[davocean]

Caribsea seaflor special grade