Really getting fed up with sand!

b4tn · Mar 3, 2019

I love the way sand keeps the reef looking natural, my clowns build in it, I have a sea Cumber that loves it, nasarius snails love it, and my wrasses sleeps in it. But I am so sick of sand storms and tweaking power heads to keep good flow for SPS with disturbing sand.

James M · Mar 3, 2019

Switch it out for a heavier graded sand.

samnaz · Mar 3, 2019

James M said:
Switch it out for a heavier graded sand.

+1

what kinda sand are you using currently?

DesertReefT4r · Mar 3, 2019

Several tanks ago I used a small sized crused coral and mixed in some large grain live sand. It stayed in place really well and was a good mix for those that require sand. I would habe used it again but could only find online at Pecto and I refuse to support Pecto when I can help it. CORALine by CaribSea and I originally got it at a local Pecto I worked at at the time. I like many others have the same issue with moving sand due to high flow. I have moved around and dialed in my power heads so that I still have really good flow but reduced the sand movement. I still have a spot in the center of my tank that get blown around some but I just deal with it and it just kind of shifts it around never relocating the sand in that area. You have 3 choices in the case. 1 just live with it and let the sand do it's thing. 2 use a larger grain sand. 3 remove the sand and go bare bottom.

b4tn · Mar 3, 2019

I used the caribsea arag-alive sand. It’s been several years but I think I used 50 lbs. I’m so torn what to do because I really like the sand and the sand dwelling creatures. But the slightest change causes me to have to re work everything.

jda · Mar 3, 2019

You don't likely need that much flow. You can have enough flow without blowing around arag-alive sand. Turn the pumps down to where the sand does not move - you will not likely ever notice a difference.

As others have said, you can sprinkle in some larger grain sizes for a mixed-sized sand bed. Just don't go too large or else the cucumber will not be happy.