Substrate size question?

[Winand]

Hello all,

I'm new to the saltwater side of this and I am in the (slow) process of setting up a 65 Reef tank.

After lurking here for several weeks and speaking with my LFS they all recommend Caribsea Aragonite as the substrate, however I get different recommendations on the size.

My tank is 36L x 18D x 25H and I plan on using a shallow sand bed with one, maybe two, Jebcao pp-4 power heads. I want a sand bed that will be friendly to the CUC but not blow around from the current.

Looking at Caribsea's website and my LFS I cant decide between the Aragamax select, the Aragamax Sugar-Sized, or the Fiji Pink. My LFS carry pretty much all of the Caribsea's products so shipping etc. isn't an issue.

Can anyone here make a recommendation or provide some insight to which one would be best?

http://www.caribsea.com/caribsea_aragonite.html

Thanks,
Chris
65- Reef Tank in progress (Still Dry)

 

[gone fishin]

If you do not want to deal with sand blowing around then personally I would stay away from the sugar-sized aragonite. Good luck just my 2 cents.

 

[JaySchulz]

Yea I had oolite in my last tank and although it looked really good, it was a pain in the ***. I'm pretty set on trying Fiji pink on my next tank.

 

[mcgyvr]

Stay away from anything in the 1.0mm max or smaller range..

with 2 of those powerheads you will be blowing sugar sand all over the place..

 

[jd371]

I have Oolite in a 75gal with 2 Jebao 8's. It took some trial and error, but I have it now that I get good flow without any storms. I do get a puff of sand when my Melanurus goes to sleep. The only issue I have with this sand is when I siphon sand (cyano), I lose some when siphoning. I will need to replace some sand soon and will be adding something coarser.

 

[thegrun]

Carib Sea Special Grade Reef Sand is recommended by 9 out of 10 reefers for those who use sand.

 

[Winand]

Thanks everyone for the advice.
I was leaning towards the coarser stuff to begin with, this just confirms it.

Special grade reef it is.

Thanks,
Chris