Sand for new tank...

I don't want "used" sand but a recommended type you would use. The best color, grain, etc..

I live two miles from indian rocks beach... I could just grab some from there...

I know it could have all type of good/bad stuff but I always wondered... suggestions???
 
southnash said:
I live two miles from indian rocks beach... I could just grab some from there...

I know it could have all type of good/bad stuff but I always wondered... suggestions???
Click to expand...

Whatever you do, Do NOT get sand from the beach. The reasons being obvious. If you were to use sand from the "beach", you would need to travel 25+ miles offshore and dive for it. And even then, you need to know what you are doing.
 
And I repeat, Do Not get sand from the beach and put it in your tank. You are only asking for trouble. BTW, ya ever think about going barebottom. I did, and I couldn't be happier
 
anybody have a boat, scuba gear, buckets & a full day to waste???? haha, j/k

I'll buy some sand but any recommendations? Or just buy what Faois has in stock?? Any good places online cheaper??

Thanks
 
southnash said:
Though about it but my Wrasse would not be happy...
Benefits besides flow? downsides? Do you have a remote DSB, fuge?

Did you see my build thread??

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=17645365#post17645365
Click to expand...

Flow was the obvious one that got me started thinking about doing it and I went back and forth for a long time before deciding. I also took some info from a good friend who is a marine biologist who suggested the barebottom approach. He has convinced me that a deep sand bed is just a bomb waiting to explode and a shallow sand bed really serves no purpose as far a denitrification, and unless properly maintained will eventually become a nitrate factory and detrius trap. No fuge, no RDSB. I just keep my parameters in check by dosing ca, alk, & mg, and siphon the bottom once a week. The detrious pretty much gathers in 2 spots of the tank so it makes it easy to siphon. Takes less then 5 minutes. With a sand bottom, you are relying on the sand to take care of the waste while with a BB you are removing the waste entirely. At some point, the sand won't be able to handle any more waste. The stories of sudden tank crashes for tanks that have been stable for years is all too common. All that being said, I still miss all the little critters that used to inhabit he sand in my previous setup.
 
Like I said, it is just a rumor. ;-) but if I were, I'm not sure it would be legal. It would have a lot of live critters though. Most likely the same type that could be found next Sunday.
 
Why would it be a bad idea to go out to a pristine sand bar like the one 2 miles off Anna Maria Island and use that sand? If there are parasites in the water would a UV sterilizer do the trick.
 
josephv said:
Why would it be a bad idea to go out to a pristine sand bar like the one 2 miles off Anna Maria Island and use that sand? If there are parasites in the water would a UV sterilizer do the trick.
Click to expand...

Forget the parasites, what about the pollution and bird crap. I really don't see the benefit and in the long run it may well cost you more to solve the problems caused by using said sand. I'm sure someone will chime in that they have successfully done this, but as I stated earlier, to be safe, you would have to travel well offshore and dive to the bottom to get sand suitable for a reef. Personally, I have spent way to much money on my system to put something in the tank that has the possibility to foul things up royally.
 
Put simply, the sand must be harvested well offshore in order to be clean of pollutants and silicates.
 
I have a idea since the tank will be viewable from both sides...

Half sand, half BB?? Separated by rocks all the way across :) I have 370lbs to pick from...

Do you use starboard??

Bad idea? pointless?
 
southnash said:
I have a idea since the tank will be viewable from both sides...

Half sand, half BB?? Separated by rocks all the way across :) I have 370lbs to pick from...

Do you use starboard??

Bad idea? pointless?
Click to expand...

Bad idea. Hate to be a buzz kill but you will find it next to impossible to keep the sand separated from the BB. Would be cool though:spin3:
 
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