Rock & Sand

[dbartkow]

Jeremy,
I have been looking over your website and have some questions. I am relatively new to the hobby and am starting with an 29 gallon Oceanic Biocube with Tunze Nano DOC 9002 skimmer. I am interested in purchasing some sand and some live rock to go in this. Here are my questions:

Regarding the sand. My aesthetic preference is to get an very fine white sand - the finer and whiter the better. I was thinking of going with the CaribSea Aragamite Aragamax Sugar Sized Oolite sand. But looking over your site I noticed a new sand you carry the Tropic Eden Aragasnow substrate.

Is there any reason I should not be using a very fine sand?

Functionally, is any one of these sands better for your reef tank than any other?

Given my preference on having a very fine white sand, which one is closest to this?

Now on to the rock. I am also interested in purchasing either Premium Cured Marshall Island or Fully Cured Kaelini Tonga Ultra Show Live Rock.

I am thinking that I should start off with about 30 lbs for my 29 gallon Biocube, does that sound about right?

Also, I don't really consider this a nano but I also don't want real larger pieces. Can this be brought into consideration when picking out my pieces?

Thanks, I really appreciate any information you have to offer.

Dave in Rochester, NY

 

[Jeremy B.]

Hi Dave,

If you are wanting a really nice bright white, and very fine sand then the Tropic Eden Aragasnow would definitely be the way to go.

I wouldn't necessarily say that one sand is better than another as long as they are both araganite based sand. Granted some sands are cleaner than others in terms of processing. The Tropic Eden is the most refined sand we have sand. It is extremely clean. We have yet been able to find any debris in the bags other than sand particles.

The smaller the grain size the better if you are doing a deep sand bed or a plenum. If you are only going with a couple of inches at most, you could move to a larger grain size without any ill effects as well.

I personally would recommend going with the Marshall Island. In my opinion that is the nicest rock available on the market right now. The Kaelini is ok if you are looking for some really big pieces, but for smaller to medium stuff the Marshall would be the way to go as you just don't get that many nice smaller pieces with the Kaelini.

You are more than welcome to request smaller to medium pieces when you go to order and we can pull that specifically to your needs.

Thanks!
Jeremy

 

[dbartkow]

Jeremy,
Thanks for your input. I will be placing an order for the sand today and will probably be ready to place an order for the live rock some time next week.

Thanks again!
Dave

 

[Jeremy B.]

You're very welcome. Let us know if there is anything else we can help you with!

Thanks!
Jeremy

 

[dbartkow]

Jeremy,
The sand arrived and is perfect. It was amazingly clean. I did rinse it twice and then put it in my tank. After adding water, everything cleared up very quickly.

I will be placing an order for the live rock very soon. How is your current supply looking?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Jeremy B.]

Hi Dave,

The sand looks great in there! Tropic Eden is the cleanest sand we have ever seen, nothing short of amazing!

Right now all three of our rocks are looking great. Of course I am most fond of the Marshall Island, but really all of them are looking good again!

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[dbartkow]

Just placed my order for 35lbs of Marshall Island live rock. Can't wait to get it!

Dave

 

[dbartkow]

Got my rock and everything worked out great! Thanks for the great service and high quality product!

Here is a link to some pictures for those that are interested in seeing the rock.

 

[Jeremy B.]

Looks great! I really liked the second aquascape that you did. Don't be scared to bet the hammer and chisel out as well to break some pieces up and shape them how you need them!