Sand bed opinions.
- Thread starter mapn4reef
- Start date
sandalscout
New member
in my 48x18 90, I ended up with about 3"-4" of sand. To be honest, I've not done a ton of reading on sand beds, and I know alot of people believe that my sand is either too deep, or not deep enough, but I like the look of that much sand. It provides enough depth to set rocks down in deep, gives sand dwelling animals enough to be happy, etc.
I think I had about 120 pounds of sand to get my dimensions deep, but I was using someone elses old sand, and then two new bags of Caribsea "Ocean Direct Caribbean Live Sand". I only used the live sand because it was cheaper than dry sand at the time, but I like the grain size of it for the most part. It stays down, unless I get agressive with a glass scrubber.
It's reported to contain 77% or more at a grain size of less than 1mm.
I think I had about 120 pounds of sand to get my dimensions deep, but I was using someone elses old sand, and then two new bags of Caribsea "Ocean Direct Caribbean Live Sand". I only used the live sand because it was cheaper than dry sand at the time, but I like the grain size of it for the most part. It stays down, unless I get agressive with a glass scrubber.
It's reported to contain 77% or more at a grain size of less than 1mm.
rule of thumb is 2 inches or less, or 4" or more. That 2-3" zone really sets you up for breeding nasty stuff. (no offense or judgement meant towards you sandal). if you do the 3-4" range you need to really be on top of things in your tank. Smaller tanks would probably be easier to maintain that way,. but my 180..forgit it! 
waynesworld
Premium Member
I am on the 2 or less I would only use the min to cover the bottom I am not a fan of DSB as it will be refered on some of the threads. I know there are some good reasons for it but the chance for a major melt down is not worth it to me.
sandalscout
New member
No offense taken at all, like I said, I've only done minimal reading on it, and it's definitely a debated topic. I don't really do anything with my sandbed, and it's been running fine for 2 years, and that depth has worked fine in my other tanks. If those numbers are the ranges that due lead to bad things, I may be on the bottom end just enough to get by. I know I do NOT get those nasty dark zones I've seen in many deeper tanks.
mikemartinez
New member
I use only 0.5 to 1'' myself.. When I first started with my 29 gal I did have about 4-5 inches but after doing some reading about the pros and cons I decided against it for all my other tanks afterwards... Like Wayne says it's just too much of a risk...
Imagine if one of your powerheads were to come loose and stir all that up?
:worried2:
Imagine if one of your powerheads were to come loose and stir all that up?
:worried2:
rcmike
Active member
I tend to go against the grain on sandbeds. 
I just use regular silica sand from Lowes. I have never had a problem with it and to me it seems to stay cleaner than aragonite. Unless you can get very small grain aragonite it tends to get detritus in it due to stuff falling between the grains.
I just use regular silica sand from Lowes. I have never had a problem with it and to me it seems to stay cleaner than aragonite. Unless you can get very small grain aragonite it tends to get detritus in it due to stuff falling between the grains.
supertech99
New member
i too have reg play sand in my tank, i was concerned about silica release but that happens in PH ranges that you tank should never be in anyway. I have combined crushed coral, silica sand, large grain aragionite and sugar fine live sand. I like the natural look that it gives the bottom of my tank. Its very personal preference but I think the variety of sizes gives me what I think the bottom of the ocean looks like. IF i were to smooth it all out i probally have about 2 inches. If you want a DSB for the bennifits you could always add one to the sump like I have seen in many local members systems. This also may give you more control in the event of a meltdown.
NeveSSL
Got tubes?
DMBillies
Active member
Nobody has said it, so I will...
I'll never run a tank again with sand in it. If you want to have SPS you need to have flow and you cannot get the kind of flow desirable near the bottom of the tank without blowing sand everywhere. Heck, that even applies to a lot of other corals. The only thing you need to be willing to give up is critters that need the sand (e.g., certain types of snails, pistol shrimp, some fish, etc.).
Then there's the added cost of it for very limited benefits. And those benefits can be replicated by setting up a remote DSB that can easily be changed out if you do start to run into the problems that a lot of people seem to experience with DSB's.
I'm certain a lot of people will say it just doesn't look right and for the first 3 months I would agree, but a lot of junk will come out of your rocks and you'll get film and encrusting algae on the glass... and eventually it will look pretty natural, particularly if you stack your rock and put your corals in the tank in a way that doesn't leave huge expanses of a wide-open flat bottom exposed.
I've personally had way fewer problems running without a sand bed for a host of reasons.
I'll never run a tank again with sand in it. If you want to have SPS you need to have flow and you cannot get the kind of flow desirable near the bottom of the tank without blowing sand everywhere. Heck, that even applies to a lot of other corals. The only thing you need to be willing to give up is critters that need the sand (e.g., certain types of snails, pistol shrimp, some fish, etc.).
Then there's the added cost of it for very limited benefits. And those benefits can be replicated by setting up a remote DSB that can easily be changed out if you do start to run into the problems that a lot of people seem to experience with DSB's.
I'm certain a lot of people will say it just doesn't look right and for the first 3 months I would agree, but a lot of junk will come out of your rocks and you'll get film and encrusting algae on the glass... and eventually it will look pretty natural, particularly if you stack your rock and put your corals in the tank in a way that doesn't leave huge expanses of a wide-open flat bottom exposed.
I've personally had way fewer problems running without a sand bed for a host of reasons.
