Special Grade Sand vs Reef Flakes

[DirtDiggler2823]

I'm at the point where i need to select a sand for my build. I initially intended to go with fiji pink, but I'm told that a build where there is high flow, would have issues with this fine grade of sand. So i started looking at the carrib-sea special grade dry sand in the 40 pound bags, but I've read in a couple of places that it also can get blown around and form dunes and the such. I then read about the tropic eden reef flakes, and they look promising, but at a higher price point. I hope to have LSP and SPS corals at some point, and while I'd like to save some money on this, I'd rather not introduce a headache by going with too fine a grade of sand. What are your collective experiences with these products, and am i putting too much thought into this?

 

[PDR]

I use special grade and really like it. I have about 65x turnover in my low boy and the sand stays in place.

 

[Billldg]

I also use special grade and have about a 45x turnover, no issue what so ever with it blowing around.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

No issue of dunes forming anywhere?

 

[mta_morrow]

I have only ever used special grade in my 2 builds.

My pistol shrimps move it, but that’s about it!

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Awesome! How do you like the look?

 

[mta_morrow]

Awesome! How do you like the look?

I personally love it. Nice and white, and level!

With 2 xf250 gyres running.

 

[Billldg]

No issue of dunes forming anywhere?

Nope, stays nice and level.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Nope, stays nice and level.

Looks like we have a winner

 

[mta_morrow]

Looks like we have a winner

They cal it “special” for a reason[emoji57]

 

[James Mikell]

Im using the tropic eden reef flakes and it has been absolutely great. Dont think i will go back to using carribsea sand.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Im using the tropic eden reef flakes and it has been absolutely great. Dont think i will go back to using carribsea sand.

Is it worth the extra change? Can you share a picture?

 

[mta_morrow]

Im using the tropic eden reef flakes and it has been absolutely great. Dont think i will go back to using carribsea sand.

Curious as to what is “great” about it?

What’s the difference between the 2?

 

[James Mikell]

Dont mind the diatoms as this tank is still newish but the reef flakes are very uniform in size.

 

[James Mikell]

Curious as to what is “great” about it?

What’s the difference between the 2?

Whats great is the uniformity of the size and also the minimal cloudynes when it was put in and the tank filled

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Whats great is the uniformity of the size and also the minimal cloudynes when it was put in and the tank filled

Do you think a mix of the substrates would work well?

 

[James Mikell]

Do you think a mix of the substrates would work well?

A mix of which substrates?

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

A mix of which substrates?

Special grade, and reef flakes

 

[James Mikell]

I never used the special grade so i couldnt say for sure how it would come out.

 

[don_chuwish]

Reefflakes are famously ‘clean’ and have a wide variety of granule sizes to choose from. I really liked the ‘feel’ of it better when I rinsed it. Didn’t feel like it was just grinding down into fines and clowding up the water as I went.