Amount of Sand Needed

[Thomas Weber]

Hi, new to the forums.

I am planning on using pool filter sand for my first reef tank. I've used all the calculators online for the amount of sand I need and they all say 100 pounds of sand for a cubic foot. This seems totally wrong so how much sand do I really need. My tank is 48'' x 18" and I'm hoping for a 2'' sand bed.

All help appreciated.

 

[AdamNC]

If that sand is silicone based I wouldn’t use it. Typically we use argonite based sand in reef tanks. But to find how much sand you need use this calculator.

https://www.marinedepot.com/md_educationcenter_calculators_sand_bed_calculator.html

 

[ShaunRobinson]

I make it 90lbs of sand required for a 2" bed or 3 x 30lb bags. Think you're misunderstanding the above. 100lbs of sand would take up 1 cubic foot of area not 1 square foot. Also 2"of sand is quite a deep bed, any reason for this?

 

[BestMomEver]

I prefer a deep sand bed. I have a 60 cube (24x24x24). I think I put 80 pounds of sand in and have about a 3” deep sand bed. It will compact over time.

Btw... welcome to the reef!

 

[ShaunRobinson]

As a rough guide Gravel is approximately 70 lbs/cubic foot and sand is 90-100 lbs/cubic foot.

Shaun.

 

[Gonebad395]

First off welcome to R2R that being said when pool filter sand? Pool filter sands usually are high in silica which isn’t a concern in pools due to the chlorine chemical used for algae control. Silica based sands will prove a problem within your reef tank. I would advise using sands ment for saltwater aquariums. Your decision to use pool sand might be a cheep choice now but as problems arise it will be so much more costly then buying the correct sand. As for how much I go for 2” sand bead in my tanks

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Welcome to the club

 

[Wolf89]

about 1.5 lbs per gallon of water us what I've read. Makes sense to me

 

[Thomas Weber]

I make it 90lbs of sand required for a 2" bed or 3 x 30lb bags. Think you're misunderstanding the above. 100lbs of sand would take up 1 cubic foot of area not 1 square foot. Also 2"of sand is quite a deep bed, any reason for this?

My mistake on the mix up of square foot and cubic foot. I was thinking that a 2" sand bed was an average depth and 4'' was more of a deep sand bed.

 

[LilElroyJetson]

I used 20lbs of sand for a 30x12 tank and have a 2” sandbed. I would think for your size tank 40lbs of sand should do it. You may not use the entire 40 but I think you’ll need more than 30lbs. Hope this is helpful.