Jim's 180 build

[Jim_S]

Yeah, I want some heavier stuff mainly for the display so my tunze's don't blow it all over. Its mainly just gonna be for appearance. Not huge pieces of broken down coral, but the heavier aragonite.

The sugar fine stuff works best for DSB's AFAIK.

Are you just gonna do one in your display? Or also a DSB in the sump?

 

[jtarmitage]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12744151#post12744151 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kdblove_99
I have no idea. Thats why i was asking you I have heard the Live sand is a gimmick and waste of money?

Can use some sand i have now to seed whatever i get. I want a nice looking sand

I don't really like the fine sand in the display as it can be very difficult to keep it in place, especially with the flow we typically use in an SPS tank. The finest I usually go is with the CaribSea Special grade.
If you don't have live sand to pull from, the bagged versions can help. It'll give your bacteria a jump start, but won't help with any of the pods and other critters. I used some for the new tank because I didn't want to add any planaria that's in the old system. Also got a scoop or two from Mark's fuge to seed mine.

 

[kdblove_99]

Definitely gfoing to do a SSB in my display. I usally have a SSB in my sump also but not sure this time. might just do cheato. I will have to see. but with my BSJ and fairy wrasse/radiant i definitely want to do a SSB in display which i was going to do BB before i got into these fish

 

[jtarmitage]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12744167#post12744167 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jim_S
Yeah, I want some heavier stuff mainly for the display so my tunze's don't blow it all over. Its mainly just gonna be for appearance. Not huge pieces of broken down coral, but the heavier aragonite.

The sugar fine stuff works best for DSB's AFAIK.

Are you just gonna do one in your display? Or also a DSB in the sump?

Exactly, # 2 or 3, with some crushed coral mixed in.
The sugar fine is perfect for DSB's as it doesn't allow as much detritus to penetrate the sand and gives a larger surface area for the bacteria to colonize. I personally run a plenum, so I don't tend to use sugar fine even in the fuge/RDSB.

 

[kdblove_99]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12744176#post12744176 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jtarmitage
I don't really like the fine sand in the display as it can be very difficult to keep it in place, especially with the flow we typically use in an SPS tank. The finest I usually go is with the CaribSea Special grade.
If you don't have live sand to pull from, the bagged versions can help. It'll give your bacteria a jump start, but won't help with any of the pods and other critters. I used some for the new tank because I didn't want to add any planaria that's in the old system. Also got a scoop or two from Mark's fuge to seed mine.

I have some sand in my tank now i can use to seed and some in my fuge. Yeah think i would like the heavier stuff in display also, I'm not into sand storms

So what kind did you get and from where?

 

[jtarmitage]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12744188#post12744188 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kdblove_99
I have some sand in my tank now i can use to seed and some in my fuge. Yeah think i would like the heavier stuff in display also, I'm not into sand storms

So what kind did you get and from where?

I had some CaribSea Special Grade and Crushed Coral from when I had set up the tank the first time. Also picked up a bag of the live mixed size from Exotic, and got another bag of #3 from YR to fill in as needed.

 

[kdblove_99]

slittle lost on this #2 and #3. Is this Carib sea sand or something else?

SIze bags and how much? I hope cheaper than "The Live stuff"

 

[jtarmitage]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12744216#post12744216 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kdblove_99
slittle lost on this #2 and #3. Is this Carib sea sand or something else?

SIze bags and how much? I hope cheaper than "The Live stuff"

If I'm not mistaken, the # refers roughly to the mm size of the particles. This is what many of the LFS's use to differentiate their bulk aragonite sand. Carib Sea named theirs. Special Grade is 1-2mm, where the crushed coral is 2-5mm. The bulk sand at YR and Exotic run about $1/lb, vs. $1.50/lb at Aqualife.

 

[kdblove_99]

Yeah but with gas at $4.50 still probably cheaper at Aqualife

Ok so its just the bulk sand then they keep in the bins that you scoop out?

 

[jtarmitage]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12744258#post12744258 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kdblove_99
Yeah but with gas at $4.50 still probably cheaper at Aqualife

Ok so its just the bulk sand then they keep in the bins that you scoop out?

Yes, YR also has some prebagged in 50# sacks.

 

[mpoletti]

Looks good Jim.

 

[Underwaterparadise]

I would deff. add more. I think a good 6-8" over the entire Sump tank. The more surface area the better the DSB will work. Also the smaller grain size the better. If your not going to grow cheato then try and keep the DSB as dark as possible.

Rob

 

[Jim_S]

Yeah, you're right Rob.

I just finished adding 50 lbs more. It should be fine now, although it could use about 20 more lbs. We'll see

I'll get some pics up here in a bit

 

[tfp]

looks good man. dang jim, you weren't kidding about that atb nog! please try to keep your laughter under control when you see my old, heavily modded, probably on their last legs, euro's tonight .

 

[Jim_S]

Thanks Tim! I hope it gives me the results I'm looking for

:lmao:

I may have a nice skimmer Tim, but I'd trade for yours any day if it would give me the results you are getting :lmao:

One day when you come by my house, I'm gonna have to say " Tim, please try not to laugh at all the brown frags I have in my display" :lol:

Okay, here's the sump with 110 lbs of #0 sand. As you can see, near the filter sock it goes down to 4", but the rest is 6". I could add another 20 lbs, but I'm undecided right now.

More opinions?

 

[tbone28]

Hey, u guys know what's up with Warren and Hiep?? Just saw a "moved on" tag over on the BAR forum

 

[Jim_S]

Probably something to do with the thread in the MARS forum

I hope its only temporary!

 

[mpoletti]

That's a lot of sand jim. Do you know what goes with sand? A kaiser roll from mikuni, see you guys there

 

[Jim_S]

Sounds good bud :thumbsup:

I knew you'd come around

 

[Jim_S]

All I can say is WOW :eek2:

tfp's tank is ridiculous!! Props are up dude. Pictures do not do that tank justice. Way to go Tim!! You are a master sps keeper!!!

Also, thanks for your extreme generosity. You, Mark and Jeremy have really been a HUGE help. WAY above and beyond what could ever be expected!!!

When I get this tank up and running proper, there will always be an open door policy with you guys!!! Anything that is mine, is yours

I'll post some pics tomorrow of my new goodies

Cheers,

Jim