Options of Sand

[Jrod381]

So I’m going to be filling a tank of 310 gallons 96”x30”x25” and wanted to know what’s everyone’s thoughts on the best choice of sand and rock to go with. I plan on doing a 2-3” sand bed I was looking at Carib sea Fiji pink and special grade sand, but I’m a came across a deal at Chewy.com for nature’s ocean lice white sand #1 for only $38 for 40#’s. I also saw that they have an Carib sea ocean direct for $28 a 40# as well. I’m wanting to keep lots of wrasses and a couple gobies in this tank. I’m also planning on doing a mixed reef. What would you all recommend is my best option in sand. Also should I go with live or dry sand? Plan on filling tank with RODI then adding salt.

I will most likely be using a mixture of Marco rock and Carib sea reef shapes and arches to Aquascape.

Please provide me your thoughts based on your experience your feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[Hemmdog]

Fiji pink blew around too much for me. I now use special grade. I think there is also a brand called tropic eden that has really good smallish sand “flakes” that don’t blow around with high flow, so I’ve heard.

 

[Dierks]

I now use special grade

+1

 

[lavoisier]

I used Bahama Aragonite Sand from Marco Rocks but they only wholesale now. But you need a sand that is courser if you want a high flow tank.

 

[krbnsol]

I have a fine sand in my tank and can't wait to siphon it all out. I'm looking at going with the special grade due to the size.

In your case, however, I am not sure how wrasses will take to it assuming they need to burrow. Hope that others can offer some more insight. I may look into some of the Carib sea ocean direct as well....

 

[Jrod381]

Update: purchased 15 bags of special grade live from Carbsea. PetSmart has a sale right now only $19 a bag. Took advantage and bought 200# of life rock to start as well as that also was on sale at $69 for a 20# box

In this hobby we have to save where we can

 

[MTBake]

I used 60 lbs of Caribsea Fiji Pink and another 90 lbs of Tropic Eden dry Reef Flakes. If I did it over, I would go with all Tropic Eden. I love the look of this sand.

Here's a quick pic for ya. This is with just room light as the the tank is still not cycled. You can see the smaller grains of the Fiji Pink on top of the Reef Flakes in spots.

 

[lapin]

I use all these sizes and have some sand digging / sleeping fish.
Miniflakes - 2.0mm

Mesoflakes - 2.7mm

Reefflakes - 3.0mm

Reefflakes Grand Select - 4.5mm

 

[Jrod381]

So I received my sand and rock and started playing with some aquascape. It’s only 160# of rock I’m definitely gonna order a little more just not sure how much. The red marks are shelves or over hangs and the blue is a lagoon style build in the center

 

[Big G]

Rock is looking good.
Great move BTW on the Special Grade. Had Fiji Pink liked the look but it was horrible. Blew around too easily and turned into an algae/diatom factory.

 

[Paulie069]

Rock is looking good.
Great move BTW on the Special Grade. Had Fiji Pink liked the look but it was horrible. Blew around too easily and turned into an algae/diatom factory.

Doing a 55gal tank it’s 30h 24l 18w for seahorses. How many inches of sand should I put in. Only asking because I noticed thread about sand

 

[Big G]

Doing a 55gal tank it’s 30h 24l 18w for seahorses. How many inches of sand should I put in. Only asking because I noticed thread about sand

The old rule of thumb is 1 pound of sand per gallon. Then adjust as needed.
Merry Christmas

 

[Jrod381]

FYI I took advantage of a sale from PetSmart on the special grade 20# for $19 a bag. They also have the Fiji pink for $16 however I have to agree with everyone else it was to thin for my liking.