Best Sand for High Flow SPS Tank

[kittenbritches]

I decided that I'm going to set up my 40B as an SPS tank. What's the best sand for high flow so I don't have sand dunes? I don't want to go BB with the stand that I have, but my sandbed won't be very deep, either.

 

[LiveFreeAndReef]

crushed coral?

 

[PatW]

I found that fine sand blows around where currents are high. It does not go into the water column. It collects in sand drifts rather like snow drifts.

My solution is just using some coarser grain sand for the high current spots.

 

[afrokobe]

the flow in my tank is pretty high and I use special grade. Id imagine it wouldnt get blown around much even if the flow was higher

 

[jhuntstl]

Special grade works, but in my experience you'll still get bare spots. Get your high flow dialed where you want it, let the sand settle where it wants, and then fill in the bare spots with crushed coral.

 

[Pistondog]

Carib sea aragonite is fairly coarse.
Is it possible to aim the powerheads horizontally, so they aren't blowing directly on the bottom?

 

[fishface NJ]

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[BradB]

Bigger hassle than it is worth, but no matter how course or fine, it will blow around and eventually settle down. You will need to keep leveling it unless you want bare spots and sand dunes.

 

[kittenbritches]

Carib sea aragonite is fairly coarse.
Is it possible to aim the powerheads horizontally, so they aren't blowing directly on the bottom?

I plan to have them blowing horizontally toward each other, with one pointed slightly toward the surface. In my current tank (mixed reef), I can't have my wavemakers over 40% without creating sand dunes.

 

[Jedi1199]

I decided that I'm going to set up my 40B as an SPS tank. What's the best sand for high flow so I don't have sand dunes? I don't want to go BB with the stand that I have, but my sandbed won't be very deep, either.

I would go with a crushed coral substrate if you can find it. It is heavier than sand, but with a 40B you will likely still have some issues with dunes forming. Back in the day I could find crushed coral in the 1/8 inch size range. I haven't seen that anywhere for quite some time.

My guess is you are going to just have to google it to death until you can find something in the size you need. I expect it will be quite a challenge, a 40B is fairly shallow isn't it?

 

[Little c big D]

No interest in bare bottom?

 

[kittenbritches]

a 40B is fairly shallow isn't it?

16.94" high -- so about 3" shorter than a standard 40g

 

[kittenbritches]

No interest in bare bottom?

Not with the stand I have -- it's the black metal number from Petco. Unless I painted or vinyl'd the bottom. Hmm. I might just consider that.

 

[Little c big D]

Not with the stand I have -- it's the black metal number from Petco. Unless I painted or vinyl'd the bottom. Hmm. I might just consider that

StarBoard

 

[Jedi1199]

OK.. so what is the definition of "high flow"? Does it mean a constant underwater hurricane? Or does it simply mean to keep a constant movement of water across the area? Would several smaller powerheads or wavemakers do the job instead of one or two larger ones?

 

[SamsReef]

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This one…clean and dream like. It’s costly but really worth it. I have one size smaller and it works good.

 

[ImaFlippinDolphin]

Special grade

 

[kittenbritches]

OK.. so what is the definition of "high flow"? Does it mean a constant underwater hurricane? Or does it simply mean to keep a constant movement of water across the area? Would several smaller powerheads or wavemakers do the job instead of one or two larger ones?

But really, I'll just have to fuss with it and experiment a bit while the tank cycles. Unless I decide to go BB after all.

 

[kittenbritches]

StarBoard

For $150 +shipping, probably not. And I don't have a table saw to cut it to size and would have to ask the ex for help (which isn't the end of the world, but isn't at the top of the list of things I want to do -- lol).

 

[Spare time]

Florida crushed coral, special grade, or Hawaiian black are all good.