color and type of sand

Stack319 · Oct 12, 2014

I am new to this hobby and I need help on deciding on the type of sand to use and the color. As of now I am adding live rock into a 55 gallon tank until I get my stand built for my 72 gallon bow tank. When the stand is completed I will transfer my water and rocks into the new tank then I'll add sand. I was wanting to have a reef tank with fish in it but couldn't decide on if I would like to have a solid color sand or a mixed black/white sand. Which would be best to use?

gemini9 · Oct 12, 2014

Allot of people seem to like Aragonite Pink Fiji from Bulk Reef Supply. The special grade I hear works well if you have a good bit of flow in your tank. Pink Fiji is nice, but takes awhile for the muddiness to clear out and tends to float around any time you do some work on your tank, such as moving around live rock or doing large water changes. Should probably get about a pound for every gallon of water in your tank, as I understand.

Damon · Oct 12, 2014

It's very much a personal preference and honestly, what you plan on keeping will somewhat dictate what you put in.

For a new person though, simply know that some form of aragonite based sand or gravel. This is, if you want to run sand. I personally like sand over gravel, as I like sand sifting animals.

I typically only run Carib Sea products for my substrate(bed) and this time I'm running the black with a little bit of white in it. But you can check out Carib Sea on the net and they have colors and size there so you get an idea of what you want.

And typically I would put 2lb per gallon, but on this system I'm using 1lb power gallon. I actually like the look a bit better...

gemini9 · Oct 12, 2014

Yeah, I +1 on the sand over gravel. I started out with Crushed Coral and didn't like it much. Switched it out for the Pink Fiji Aragonite. It's not really pink. It's more of a white colored sand with bits of pink in it. Actually looks nice. Can be a little messy if disturbed, as I stated above. I have a 30g tank and 20 pounds of live sand in there. It seems to get the job done. I may add another 10 pounds in a few months. Whatever you go with, I recommend bulk reef supply, as they have pretty good customer service. Or at least has been my experience. Their dry rock is pretty dirty tho.

blkflm6888 · Oct 13, 2014

blkflm6888 · Oct 13, 2014

Jimbo662 · Oct 13, 2014

I had the fiji pink in my first tank. If you're planning to have any kind of livestock that will be digging sifting I'd look at the special grade sand. That's what i have in my current tank. No more sand storms or silt on all of the rocks.

Stack319 · Oct 13, 2014

Thanks everyone, I was looking into the medium grade sand and was told that was best to use. I'm looking both sites up and will probably make my decision then. The mixed color sand is more in my favor because I like to be different. I appreciate all the advice and loved the pics.