Is sand ok in an Sps tank?

Zacktosterone

Active member
I don't really want to go bare bottom because the inside bottom erobrace makes it look weird. I would rather sand as it's more natural looking. I absolutely think it's disguisting, the crap that sand holds onto though,
 
You shouldn't have any problem. I would like to have sand but, never found a way not to have a sand storm with all the mp 40's I have
 
I don't really want to go bare bottom because the inside bottom erobrace makes it look weird. I would rather sand as it's more natural looking. I absolutely think it's disguisting, the crap that sand holds onto though,

Go with your gut feeling, if you think sand holds onto a bunch of crap that's because it does. BB and never going back!

BTW what lights did you end up selecting?
 
I have sand and three mp40's. Wish I would have gone BB due to the constant movement of sand. If I was you I would start BB and then you could add sand later.
 
Yes you can have sand, even fine sand.
The trick is to focus your water movement.

SPS like loads of water movement, but not direct high velocity water movement.

They like high water movement at a low velocity.

Focus the majority of this water movement toward the middle and upper half of the tank and you will be fine.

Keep up on your husbandry to help remove dead spots on the sandbed.

I use two MPw110s in my 40 breeder and put on wave mode (1-1.5") or so twice a week for a full day to help flush out any debris that may build up.
 
I have sand and am considering going BB due to a sandstorm if I try to get any significant flow. Love having sand though and don't see any other issues with it if you have the right CUC to sift it. If you do it...go with a larger particle size and it should be good. My problem is that I have fine sand
 
I have sand and am considering going BB due to a sandstorm if I try to get any significant flow. Love having sand though and don't see any other issues with it if you have the right CUC to sift it. If you do it...go with a larger particle size and it should be good. My problem is that I have fine sand

Definitely take this advice to heart. While I prefer the look of sand to bare bottom, I chose too small of a grain size and am in the process of swapping it out. First I went with the Marco sand which ended up getting blown around into large sand dunes. I swapped out the most problematic area with a 1-2 mm grain which also blew around so I recently got some tropic eden grand select which is 4.5 mm and so far is staying put great. They also make a variety called reef flakes (3 mm) that ought to work as well.
 
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