DSB - Oolitic or not?

[symont]

Hello,

After reading this article on DSB, I decided to go with 4" of oolitic sand...
http://www.ronshimek.com/Deep Sand Beds.htm

While looking around too choose the kind and brand of sand, I found out that CaribSea recommand its Figi Pink 0.5 to 1.5mm for DBS. The oolitic 0.1 to 1.0mm is insted recommand for shallower beds.

You guessed right, I am now confused. Ron seems like a knowledgeable guy. But CaribSea must know something about sand? Do they? If it makes any difference, I have a 48" long 48G tank.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[WaterKeeper]

Go with the oolitic; fine is better in a DSB. Either size is OK in a shallow bed as the bed doesn't really so very much in that case.

 

[mg426]

The oolitic worked very well for me.

 

[symont]

Wow... An answer from Waterkeeper!!! This is as good as it can gets for a newbie.

Thanks also to mg426.

I will stick with your advice. And while we are at it, will the eventual addition of, lets say, a Fighting Conch or a Cucumber will alienate the benefits of a DSB? I mean, will they disturb too much this ecosystem to be effective? What critters shoud be avoid?

Thank again for your time.

 

[WaterKeeper]

I don't see any problem with the Conch but I'm sort of against the large cukes. They tend to eat too much of the bacteria in the sand. Good LS will often have mini-cukes in it and they don't do any harm as far as I can tell.

Wow... An answer from Waterkeeper!!! This is as good as it can gets for a newbie.

Nobody answered your question this morning so someone had to do the dirty deed.

 

[macDRE]

i live in salt lake city and there is this area where there is oolitic sand.I heard you can only get oolitic sand in utah and somewhere in the carribean.If you have not got sand yet i can sell you some for way cheaper than you could get it for.Any amount.And it is real clean and not messed with.I went in fresh scooped and my sand in my tank anf it's doing good.It helps with keeping your ph and calium up