Deep sand bed

[Areeflover]

I’m wondering what kinds of sand can I use for a deep sand bed in a sump. The tank is established I’m rehaulibg the filtration. Can I use hardware store sand?

 

[sghera64]

No hardware store sand. That’s silica or quartz sand. Use reef sand like aragonite as it helps buffer your water.

 

[Areeflover]

No hardware store sand. That’s silica or quartz sand. Use reef sand like aragonite as it helps buffer your water.

Okay got it lol was just hoping to save some money

 

[jda]

Aragonite will also buffer and bind phosphate in addition to buffering. It also has more surface area for bacteria. You really do want aragonite.

 

[Areeflover]

How many lbs do you think I’ll need for a 6 in sand bed in a 30 gallon minus 5 inches ( return chamber)

 

[PDR]

How many lbs do you think I’ll need for a 6 in sand bed in a 30 gallon minus 5 inches ( return chamber)

I'm not sure the dimensions of your tank but you can use this calculator to figure out the depth. https://www.marinedepot.com/md_educationcenter_calculators_sand_bed_calculator.html

You can also get dry sand instead of "live" sand and save some money. This is the dry sand I prefer. Just make sure to rinse it really well.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aragonite-special-grade-dry-sand-40lbs-caribsea.html

 

[Super Fly]

No hardware store sand. That’s silica or quartz sand. Use reef sand like aragonite as it helps buffer your water.

This. And grain size is important, should avg 0.125 diameter. Here's Ron Shimek's article about how to DSB
http://www.ronshimek.com/deep_sand_beds.html

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Caribsea Special Grade or Original Grade are great sand.

 

[fogcutter]

Doing the same research.... found some pure white medium grain sand made from feldspar. I was considering mixing with some Carib Sea to make a 3 inch bed. Anyone heard bad things about feldspar sand?

 

[Areeflover]

I’ve found a website a while back called APurpleReef I’m gonna get my sand from them

 

[ca1ore]

Although it is what I use in my display, I would not (and have not) use special grade in my RDSB. Much better, in my view to use the really fine 'sugar' sized sand; particularly if you want to encourage benthic organisms. Grain size is apparently more important than the composition of the sand.

 

[davocean]

Okay got it lol was just hoping to save some money

If you want to save money, just skip it, there really is no need for sand in fuge or sump, and I personally don't like sand near pumps.

If I were to do anything like sand for denitrification, I would only do in a remote that I could easily contain, and remove, and while I use caribsea for display, I agree finer sand is better for a remote sand bed

 

[Areeflover]

If you want to save money, just skip it, there really is no need for sand in fuge or sump, and I personally don't like sand near pumps.

If I were to do anything like sand for denitrification, I would only do in a remote that I could easily contain, and remove, and while I use caribsea for display, I agree finer sand is better for a remote sand bed

I’ve heard of a lot of people putting a DSB in their sump. I’ve never had a DSB I kinda want to do it as a learning experience

 

[davocean]

I’ve heard of a lot of people putting a DSB in their sump. I’ve never had a DSB I kinda want to do it as a learning experience

Well, do as you wish, but you probably won't see much really, yeah maybe slightly more surface for pods, but also more surface for collecting dietrus, so just be aware.
If you are looking for dentrification, deeper the better, not sure how much area you have, but really the best and safest way is remote which is contained and easily removed.
My fuge is what a fuge was orginally intended to be, refugium=refuge, a place for pods to reproduce w/out predation.
Many do a fuge for nutrient export, but a fuge must be really big to see much difference there, there are better ways to achieve that w/ the limited space most have in sumps.
Guess it depends on your sump size and what you are really trying to achieve.

 

[Rcpilot]

I’ve heard of a lot of people putting a DSB in their sump. I’ve never had a DSB I kinda want to do it as a learning experience

It's cool to see them over time.
Can you put a 5g or 10g tank anywhere and drain that back to the return chamber? A remote refugium is cool if you have the room.