Sand Bed,what is the best combination for newly set up tank ?

[Sky Yung]

Dear all,

I would like to set up a new 40G Fish Only Tank with live rock.

I personally like the finest sand to be used as sand bed as it makes the tank look nicer, I want the sand bed to be about 3" deep.
I would like to know the goodside / downside if using the finest or coarse sand as the sand bed.

I saw some of the lfs put about 2" of the coarse sand (but not crushed coral) at the bottom of the tank, then put another 2" finest sand on top of it, is there any function of using two layers of sand with different textures ? What is the best combination of the sand to be used as the sand bed ?

Finally, shall I set up the live rock at the bottom of the tank before I fill the sand into the tank ? Or set up the sand bed then stack the live rock onto it ?

Remark : I will be using new sand (not live sand) to run my tank.

Thank you in advance for all your help and precious advice !

Cheers,
Sky

 

[cnaegler]

Well, there's a couple of things to consider first. Are you planning on running a sump/refugium with this setup? If you are running a fuge, then you can put a DSB (deep sand bed- 4-6 inches with grain size approx. .5- 1.5mm) in the fuge to help with the denitratfication process and keep a SSB (shallow sand bed-1-3 inches) in the display tank.
If you are not going to be running a remote DSB (such as in a fuge) and still want to use the sand bed as a denitratifcation platform then it'll have to be at least 4"- 6" deep.
I personaly add the sand first and place the rock on top, twisting it into place a little. I hope this helps.

 

[Sky Yung]

Tks Craig for your advice !

I don't have room to accommodate a fuge or refugium, so I can only fill the sand into the display tank.

I will increase the sand bed to 4" deep. Tks !

 

[criccio]

http://www.ronshimek.com/deep_sand_beds.html

 

[Sky Yung]

Tks Chris !

I found the article very useful !