sillygoose
New member
What do you think about sand? What are the benefits/drawbacks of either?
what are the benefits of fine or coarse sand
- Thread starter sillygoose
- Start date
The main difference that I know is that with the fine sand you have more surface area for the beneficial bacteria to grow on. I think this only really matters of your planning to have a DSB. But I don't think there is too many pros and cons to either. But I am no expert by any means lol just my .02
Tanque Verde
New member
Fine sand is more easily blown around. Flow must be moderated or carefully directed.
IMHO, though, it's a lot prettier than coarse sand. In a coarse sand tank, the coarsest grains always find their way to the top. I find it less attractive.
IMHO, though, it's a lot prettier than coarse sand. In a coarse sand tank, the coarsest grains always find their way to the top. I find it less attractive.
Bedroomgangsta
New member
+1^ and fine sand makes it easier for your CUC to clean any detritus on the bed easier then in coarser sand/aragonite. I went with a mix of fine and coarse this time, however when i set up a new DT im going back to pure fine sand. Like Tanque said, all the coarse made its way to the top and I dont like it.
sillygoose
New member
Good points about the gravel vac. How about the brownish stuff that sometimes grows on the bottom - especially this time of year? Better/worse/no difference with grain size?
Tucson Reef
New member
I use both coarse and fine, throw fine in first (about 1 1/2") the throw about 1" coarse over it to hold in place. I also put egg crate over the glass bottom first to protect it from the rocks. As for the brown stuff, snails, cut back on food, water changes, or it might just be from new tank cycle as it going thru the different stages.
Tanque Verde
New member
The "brown stuff" you describe may be cyano. It's growth depends heavily on nutrients, flow, and lighting. I had the best success battling cyano by implementing a regiment of monthly phased in/out three-day blackouts:
day 0 full lighting
day 1 moon lighting
day 2 no lighting
day 3 moon lighting
day 4 full lighting
Whether this technique is right for you, however, will depend on your inhabitants. Some corals don't mind, some seem to be distressed by it.
day 0 full lighting
day 1 moon lighting
day 2 no lighting
day 3 moon lighting
day 4 full lighting
Whether this technique is right for you, however, will depend on your inhabitants. Some corals don't mind, some seem to be distressed by it.
wsz594
New member
+1 I had a pinkface wrasse that did that in my old tank, it was all sand though.
sillygoose
New member
Thanks for the thoughts. The brown stuff only shows up in the warmer weather. I've had other cyano incidents but they have behaved differently. This phenomenon happens each summer in this tank.
Good point about the sand and injuries. I like wrasses but I don't like how they eat my little inverts so they won't be a problem. But I wouldn't mind trying out a sand-sifting type goby...sigh.
Has anyone ever done a combination for aesthetic reasons. You know how we can make fake "streams" with rock in our yards? That way there would be areas of both types for different critters.
Good point about the sand and injuries. I like wrasses but I don't like how they eat my little inverts so they won't be a problem. But I wouldn't mind trying out a sand-sifting type goby...sigh.
Has anyone ever done a combination for aesthetic reasons. You know how we can make fake "streams" with rock in our yards? That way there would be areas of both types for different critters.
Tanque Verde
New member
That would look spectacular if you could keep the sand in place (and I'm a skeptic).
sillygoose
New member
Well the other thing that I realized is that it would be very tricky filling the tank and not blowing the design all over the place. I am kinda tempted to try it.
savageAJC
New member
I love the look of fine sand but my vortech blows it around. You have to
Find that sweet spot with flow. But in your huge tank I don't think that will be a
Problem.
Just a side note
Here if your looking for fine sand I have a huge and I mean huge container of
It. It's white sugar sized sand- I have more than enough in my tank and probably enough for your tank. $10 and it's yours. Just lmk.
Find that sweet spot with flow. But in your huge tank I don't think that will be a
Problem.
Just a side note
Here if your looking for fine sand I have a huge and I mean huge container of
It. It's white sugar sized sand- I have more than enough in my tank and probably enough for your tank. $10 and it's yours. Just lmk.
sillygoose
New member
Thanks - I'll think about that!
incognitus
New member
Yes, fine is better for your tank inhabitants (small and big) but more tricky. One that hasn´t been said it´s that can help to scratch tank windows when cleaning.
Jmnazari
Hangin' w/ Rome from SWR
I would personally not use two different substrate sizes together. You could get poorly "sorted" sand. This is where the lack of uniformity between grain sizes prevent the flow of waste, gas, and water through the sand. The smaller grains of sand would get trapped between the larger grains of sand and basically block your water flow. Just my 2 cents 
sillygoose
New member
Thanks - that's certainly a consideration. I was hoping to make discreet ribbons of fine sand as opposed to having a mixed homogeneous substrate. Again, I just don't know about the feasibility of such a result.
