Sand for DSB

yetti

New member
Where is the best place to get nice white sand for a DSB? I see them online at all of the major suppliers but was wondering if there were other places that someone could find locally?
 
I use a DSB-system for a long time and tested some different kind of sands for a DSB system.

I made the best experiences with the sugar sized aragonit sand from CaribSea (CaribSea AragAlive Sand or the dry aragonit sand).
It's very fine and has a better grain size for DSB than the sand of Natures Ocean.

Especially the life sand of CaribSea is a very good choice for a DSB. It isn't much more expensive like the dry sand of the same company.

But you could use every sugar grain sized aragonit sand for your DSB.

Here in Germany the most well sorted local marin aquarium dealers has this aragonit sand.

Sudad
 
Yes, I agree with you both. But I'm looking for something I can find local and not in a pet supply store. Basically looking for a less expensive option. I know it has to be out there.
 
Go see what they have at Home Depot or similar stores. Then come back and do research to see if anyone has used that brand before. For example, alot of people are using Kolorscape sand. Also plenty of people have used non-aragonite sands with great success it both shallow and deep sand beds.
 
@Jocko

If you want to use a DSB only for nitrat-reduction you could take every sugar sized sand, you don't need the aragonit sand - that's right.

But if you want to have the other advantages like stabilizing the alkalinity, a calcium supplement and a very white coloured sand, which reflects the light to the underside of the corals, the aragonitsand is the better choice.

@Yetti

You could buy every sugar sized aragonit sand. The best one comes from the Bahamas.
Maybe you could find it at a local dealer who sells sand, stones and other building materials.

Sudad
 
Yetti,

I have used premium play sand that I bought in Lowes and HD for my sand beds (over 4") and never had a problem. Yes, it is probuably silica sand, but it worked fine for me and nice and white and CHEAP!!! I dose Ca and ALK so I never worry about the lack of buffering from the sand.

Good luck,
Chris
 
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