Sand bed , question here !

[machodik]

Dear all,

After long years of bare bottom, I finally want to give it a try to add some fine corals sand bed say only 2 cm height , I heard from my LFS that I better add some larger corals bones below and top with fine corals sand , they said this help the anaerobic bacteria effect ?

Anyone give me a good advise .

I decide to go a 2 cm thick fine sand bed (coral sand #1) just to help me reduce nutrients . Will this help?

Cheers ,

MD


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[machodik]

Any advise ?


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[mcgyvr]

2cm is a very shallow sand bed..
It can help some as its far more surface area vs not having one.. but being so shallow its going to be aerobic bacteria vs anerobic..

No need to bury coral skeletons.. Thats just kind of goofy..

 

[cleverbs]

2cm is a very shallow sand bed..
It can help some as its far more surface area vs not having one.. but being so shallow its going to be aerobic bacteria vs anerobic..

No need to bury coral skeletons.. Thats just kind of goofy..

Agreed. I dont think your fish store knows what they are talking about unless they think you are going for a Deep Sand bed. 2cm deep is SUPER shallow whats the point of a 2cm sandbed? Its probably going to blow all over.

 

[machodik]

Thanks for your advises ,

Some friend suggested me to use 2 cm thick as to have more area for bacteria colonization .

So , 2 cm is not suitable for anaerobic ? Minimum has to be how deep ?

Using fine corals sand (sand crushed finely from corals bones or skeleton) is this Right using this than the beach Sand? Will not it be blow away by the wave maker pump as it is too fine?


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[earwicker7]

Depending on who you ask, 4 to 6 inches is the minimum if the purpose is denitrification.

 

[xCry0x]

I wouldn't use a super fine grade sand, it will blow all over the place. If it is only 2cm deep you will end up with 0 cm on one side of your tank and 4cm on the other side.

I had super fine oolite in my first tank and regretted it. Reef flakes in new tank and while I at first thought "wow the sand grains are huge" it looks fine now that it is in the tank.

 

[mcgyvr]

The ability to develop area for anerobic activity is effected by more than just a height measurement.. There is no magic number for how deep it should be..
Here is a good read for you..
http://www.ronshimek.com/deep_sand_beds.html
but you DON'T need a "deep sand bed" to have it be useful..

and yes you want "aragonite" based sand.. NOT SILICA or anything else..

 

[machodik]

The ability to develop area for anerobic activity is effected by more than just a height measurement.. There is no magic number for how deep it should be..
Here is a good read for you..
http://www.ronshimek.com/deep_sand_beds.html
but you DON'T need a "deep sand bed" to have it be useful..

and yes you want "aragonite" based sand.. NOT SILICA or anything else..

Thanks for feedback with info,

When we say at aragonite based sand, is this includes the finely sand crushed from colors bones?
Is the natural beach sand is a aragonite or silica based? Sorry for my ignorant on this .




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[tazdvl]

Beach sand is made up of whatever the ocean is grinding up and placing on the beach, if this is silica based rocks, silica. If limestone based then you get the type that is good for a reef tank tank. I'm no expert by any means but I think if pretty much boils down to that.

 

[JWClark]

I think aragonite is basically calcium carbonate that has precipitated out of the ocean water but it is essentially the same as crushed up coral skeletons--though grain size is smaller.

If you want to know if your beach sand is composed of this then put a few drops of vinegar on it. If it fizzes then it is composed of calcium carbonate. If not, then silicates or basalt. Color is a good first indicator--white will be good, dark will be more likely to be non calcium carbonate based. As to purity of composition, that is another question requiring much more detailed analysis.

 

[machodik]

Thanks for the advise . Is there any one have comment over the corals sand and also beach sand coming from the Philippines? How this compare to Fiji that I heard is the best ? Is that because due to purity ?


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[ReefsandGeeks]

I would never use sand from the beach in any of my tanks. Or water from the beach. All I ever hear about/think about when this is brought up is pollution in the sand and water near the shore. I'm not sure how the Philippines compares to the beaches I've been to in the US, but if it's similar it would be worth buying some decent sand for the peace of mind.

 

[mcgyvr]

Yep... Don't use sand from the beach.. Its potentially a toxic sponge.. (boat oil/gas and so much more)
Not worth the risk..

In general...If you are attempting to use water or sand it must be collected off shore via boat..

 

[machodik]

Thanks and noted .


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[HefeWeizen]

I use a 1-2" bed of caribsea special grade. Plenty of worms and pods. Definitely no denitrifying bacteria. However, every two weeks or so I turkey baster the crap out of the sand and release the detritus. The corals go nuts. I have done DSB and over time it just gets full. I've been sand free and it's just plain ugly and unnatural.

 

[machodik]

I think aragonite is basically calcium carbonate that has precipitated out of the ocean water but it is essentially the same as crushed up coral skeletons--though grain size is smaller.



If you want to know if your beach sand is composed of this then put a few drops of vinegar on it. If it fizzes then it is composed of calcium carbonate. If not, then silicates or basalt. Color is a good first indicator--white will be good, dark will be more likely to be non calcium carbonate based. As to purity of composition, that is another question requiring much more detailed analysis.

Got 2 bags of coral sands and origin is Philippines , check with using vinegar and its calcium carbonate nice fizzes white color .

Thanks for the simple test proceeding .


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[machodik]

This is the sand that I bought , it said from the Philippines , coral sand , I pick this one versus the beach sand that is too fine , fine that sugar grains , worries it may blast out by my strong wave maker .;

Cheers,


MD


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[HefeWeizen]

This is the sand that I bought , it said from the Philippines , coral sand , I pick this one versus the beach sand that is too fine , fine that sugar grains , worries it may blast out by my strong wave maker .;

Cheers,


MD


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Looks like the caribsea special grade. Good size grains IMO.

 

[xCry0x]

Yup, I went with that in my new tank and have no regrets. Makes it a lot easier to keep gunk off the sand bed, can even gravel vac it a bit without sucking out all the sand. Oolite sand was a bad idea on original tank, never again, absolutely no reason to use it.