sand

[mitch30111]

what kind of sand do you use or would use for a new build?

 

[AZBigJohn]

I prefer the argonite sand, with a small to medium grade. I tend to use sand with a little larger grain than many folks, because I use a lot of flow in the tank, and do not like the sand storms and constant shifting that the very fine sands tend to produce.

The only sand I suggest people avoid is the "sugar-type" sand. Any time you get even moderate flow going, sand flies...

 

[David1025]

I use the fine sand I like it minus what John stated above with the shifting..my current is pretty strong and I can only keep half my tank coverd with a sandbed no matter where I point my power head

 

[HowManyClowns]

My current tank is bare bottom and I love it. No sand blowing around

 

[swhobbie1]

small to medium also here ... no fine sand which will end up all over rock and corals constantly... also I like just a small amount of sand, just enough for hermits and stuff to walk around but not enough that you can't keep it clean

 

[SkullV]

There is only one sand I'll ever use again. Tropic Eden Reeflakes from premium aquatics. It was out of stock when I set up my current tank and regret using Caribsea Special Grade instead of waiting for it to come in.

 

[evil]

sand

I epoxy the sand to the bottom. It looks like sand but acts like bare bottom.

 

[AZBigJohn]

I epoxy the sand to the bottom. It looks like sand but acts like bare bottom.

I'd love to be able to listen to your snails/crabs when they first move in... "What a great place, but the bottom of the ocean - Man it's hard!":lolspin:

 

[Arizonah13]

There is only one sand I'll ever use again. Tropic Eden Reeflakes from premium aquatics. It was out of stock when I set up my current tank and regret using Caribsea Special Grade instead of waiting for it to come in.

Why do you regret using Caribsea special grade? I just bought a bag for when I do a major rockscaping/sand-replacing/overhaul on my tank. :uhoh3: Now I'm worried!

 

[SkullV]

Why do you regret using Caribsea special grade? I just bought a bag for when I do a major rockscaping/sand-replacing/overhaul on my tank. :uhoh3: Now I'm worried!

The grains are too unevenly sized, a TON of dust, and definitely leaching silicates. Tropic Eden sand is just significantly better sand than anything else out there. The Caribsea gets the job done and will be OK after a few months, but it's no Reeflakes.

 

[geemanaz]

The grains are too unevenly sized, a TON of dust, and definitely leaching silicates. Tropic Eden sand is just significantly better sand than anything else out there. The Caribsea gets the job done and will be OK after a few months, but it's no Reeflakes.

+1 best sand you can buy

 

[AntiSatan]

Caribsea Arag-Alive Fiji Pink sand I have fallen in love with. Its has a decent mix of grain sizes but still on the smaller side that I prefer. Love the color and texture.

 

[fastandsneaky]

I completely agree with Tropic Eden. I want to buy a bag but too much sand for a 7g

 

[Stolireef]

I've never had any issues with Caribsea. I like larger grains as well since the small grains can really get messy. On the other hand, if you like sand sifting fish, oolitic works nicely.

 

[evo.howard2010]

I purchased like sand that was really coarse sand with small shells mixed I love it! It never blows around! And even with my 1950 gph power head pointed towards the sub straight it still very little movement!

 

[Mwells]

I recently was looking into this for my new build and found these two videos very helpful as well.

http://youtu.be/kwJB12BiSfg

http://youtu.be/x7yA0XpKj2M

 

[kjonulak]

caribsea arag-alive fiji pink sand i have fallen in love with. Its has a decent mix of grain sizes but still on the smaller side that i prefer. Love the color and texture.

+1