How much sand for my tank?

[POIUY678]

Hi, I have a 55 gallon tank that Im planning to turn into a reef tank.

I bought 70 pounds of sand and this is what my tank looks like after 35 pounds of sand

I feel like if I add the other 35 pounds of sand, it'll be too much, how much more should I add or is this good enough?

 

[RandomUser7]

It really depends on what you're keeping. If you want sand sifting creatures I'd recommend adding the rest. I'm using about 70 pounds of sand in my tank and it looks fine, just make sure it's evenly spread.

 

[Dan_P]

Hi, I have a 55 gallon tank that Im planning to turn into a reef tank.

I bought 70 pounds of sand and this is what my tank looks like after 35 pounds of sand

I feel like if I add the other 35 pounds of sand, it'll be too much, how much more should I add or is this good enough?

1-2 inches is what is generally recommended in the hobby unless you want a deep sand bed or have animals, like a fish, that tunnel in the sand.

 

[Katherine Corals]

Hi friend!! I think you have a good amount of sand there. For reference, when I had a 75 gallon tank, I used 60lbs of sand.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Completely up to you, I like having 4"-5" sandbeds in my tanks.

 

[nuxx Verified Sponsor]

Think 70 lbs would be good for you.

 

[dstockwell]

I used 60lbs in my 55, so 70 sounds fine.

 

[Rmckoy]

Depends on what you want . But for average roughly 1.5-2” is plenty
There was an article awhile ago in regards to sand beds and if kept less than 1” there is little to no effects of vacuumed frequently with water changes . But deeper sand can hold on to much more toxins after it matures .
perhaps it’s referring to deeper sand beds greater than 4” depth

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi, I have a 55 gallon tank that Im planning to turn into a reef tank.

I bought 70 pounds of sand and this is what my tank looks like after 35 pounds of sand

I feel like if I add the other 35 pounds of sand, it'll be too much, how much more should I add or is this good enough?

4 for 2" thickness or 6 for 2.5" thickness

 

[Swiss Frag Reefer]

I do 1/2 - 1”… that way I feel less a need for vaccum the sand. (I also do not really have animals that depend on a deep sand bed)

 

[POIUY678]

1-2 inches is what is generally recommended in the hobby unless you want a deep sand bed or have animals, like a fish, that tunnel in the sand.

I do plan on having creatures such as goby or snails that will enjoy the sand, how deep do you think the sand bed should be if I plan to keep a goby/snail?

 

[POIUY678]

It really depends on what you're keeping. If you want sand sifting creatures I'd recommend adding the rest. I'm using about 70 pounds of sand in my tank and it looks fine, just make sure it's evenly spread.

I do plan on keeping goby and snails, how deep is your sand bed if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Dan_P]

I do plan on having creatures such as goby or snails that will enjoy the sand, how deep do you think the sand bed should be if I plan to keep a goby/snail?

That I don’t know but a quick Google search will give a good idea in a minute.

 

[907_Reefer]

In our 55, we keep a mix of snails, a pistol shrimp and goby pair, etc. I went crazy with 120 lbs live sand and feel like that's too much for sure. We are in the middle of moving the tank and will be replacing the sand with new and reducing to 70-80. Feel free to check my build thread for what 120 lbs looks like in a 55 long.. In a few weeks I'll have shots of it reduced to ~80.

 

[wisnia99]

Depends on what you want . But for average roughly 1.5-2” is plenty
There was an article awhile ago in regards to sand beds and if kept less than 1” there is little to no effects of vacuumed frequently with water changes . But deeper sand can hold on to much more toxins after it matures .
perhaps it’s referring to deeper sand beds greater than 4” depth

Hi, Do you have the link to that article? I'm researching the subject. Thanks!

 

[Rmckoy]

Hi, Do you have the link to that article? I'm researching the subject. Thanks!

That article
Would be close to 10 years old

 

[scottbapilot]

Your Tank, Your choice. My next tank will be a bare bottom.

 

[AquaticVisualPleasures Al]

Hi, I have a 55 gallon tank that Im planning to turn into a reef tank.

I bought 70 pounds of sand and this is what my tank looks like after 35 pounds of sand

I feel like if I add the other 35 pounds of sand, it'll be too much, how much more should I add or is this good enough?

Typically it's one lbs. Per gal. to start regular coverage. Plenums and deep sand beds go up to two lbs. Per gal.

 

[Midrats]

I won't add to all the good advice you've been given, just wanted to say I like what you have going on with the aquascape there

 

[AquaticVisualPleasures Al]

Hi, I have a 55 gallon tank that Im planning to turn into a reef tank.

I bought 70 pounds of sand and this is what my tank looks like after 35 pounds of sand

I feel like if I add the other 35 pounds of sand, it'll be too much, how much more should I add or is this good enough?

Since you have plenty I would say 50-to 60 lbs. Is enough and if you have a sump ditch the rest down there...Most stores would tell you one lbs. Per Gal. To start and always know your right from none to five inches tall is perfect if that's what you like and you know about build up of bacteria and nutrients in sand over heavy feedings and time...best thing treat it like a food source and finger sift it up into the water column to "feed all the tank" including removing it out of column with your filters.