Good Flow = Sand Storm

gooberz

gooberz

The Specialist :)
Hey Guys,

Need solution for my dilema :debi: . So i have a 45G MarineLand Cube with a Mag 7 for return ( cranked down to 75% power) and a Koralia Pump 1050 GPH.
I am trying to provide some great flow for my SPS but the issue is that i used Aragalive sandbed and it is super fine so because of the strong flow i have fine sand particles flying around in the water. How do i resolve this?

My thoughts were to pour some thicker aragonite over it to help it stay down but not sure if it would just mix and not do the trick..

Thanks in advance,
Henry
 
How long has the tank been set up?

I have had some pretty serious flow, with dsb. Usually after the tank has been running for a month or so, the sand will begin to get a bacteria coating that will hold it down and together.
 
Filter socks will take out the fines that are getting stirred up.

It may take a while, but the only other alternative is to change your sandbed.
 
Tank has been up for about 3 months now and all inhabitants are great!
Any more ideas guys? Here is a current picture

HCtank.jpg
 
I actually moved it down so that some LR is in the way but still too much. Was thinking of moving it down and pointing flow upwards but want to make sure my SPS is getting enough flow
 
i love the look of fine sand, but hate the sand storms. The problem never really goes away until you have tremendous growth of coral which causes flow to decrease. currently i have a thin layer of that course stuff, but once my sps grow out i will replace it with oolitic sand.
 
"sugar" sand looks awesome but I kept having the same issues as yourself. Just keep moving the powerheads around till you find that spot that works.

I ended up moving to something a bit courser just to reduce this problem with my new set up
 
Imo, its not worth it to sacrifice flow, which in turn contributes to the health of the corals, for the sake of some some silly sand or preference to type of sand... sps NEED proper flow, they don't NEED sand...

Jmo, nothing more...
 
Pallobi said:
Imo, its not worth it to sacrifice flow, which in turn contributes to the health of the corals, for the sake of some some silly sand or preference to type of sand... sps NEED proper flow, they don't NEED sand...

Jmo, nothing more...
Click to expand...

+1, I don't really think I understood how important flow is or how much you need in an SPS tank until very recently--you need so much a sandstorm is almost inevitable.
 
I have the same problem. I have a goby too so my sand really never has a chance to get a bacterial layer at the top to hold it down.
 
You could coat the bottom of the tank with glue and then rub sand into it. Gives the look and feel of a sandbed, but you can point a MP40 at it and not have the sand storm.

Just a thought...
 
skrillnet said:
You could coat the bottom of the tank with glue and then rub sand into it. Gives the look and feel of a sandbed, but you can point a MP40 at it and not have the sand storm.

Just a thought...
Click to expand...

great thought... jus to note, one would have to make sure the "glue" or adhesive, is saltwater safe and will not give way to corrossion and is also reef safe of course...

but a great idea indeed for those who swear against a barebottom tank...
 
Pallobi said:
great thought... jus to note, one would have to make sure the "glue" or adhesive, is saltwater safe and will not give way to corrossion and is also reef safe of course...

but a great idea indeed for those who swear against a barebottom tank...
Click to expand...

Use 100% silicone from lowes, spread with a puffy knife, coat, and let it cure for a few days. You could even make hills or places to put real sand out of the flow for some sand dwelling critters (gobies shrimp etc).
 
skrillnet said:
Use 100% silicone from lowes, spread with a puffy knife, coat, and let it cure for a few days. You could even make hills or places to put real sand out of the flow for some sand dwelling critters (gobies shrimp etc).
Click to expand...

good info and great ideas :)
 
Well I played around with the Koralia last night a bit but the pump is pretty strong and i agree with flow being everything. Sand kick up still and tank still looks nice but can see fine sand flying around in the flow and im a bit of a perfectionist :( I might have to look at putting some thicker particle arogonite on top or just go barebottom...

Henry
 
crushed coral may have a couple pros, but it has many cons... to the OP, if you consider this, make sure you research and make an educated decision on whether you want to do this to your system...

again and as always in this hobby, to each their own... ;)
 
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