Substrate

[edc_aquarium]

Im having a very hard time choosing substrate for my 55 gallon. I do plan on having a decent amount of flow but i like finer sand so what would be a good fine sand that wont blow around but is still fine

 

[Diesel]

Any kind of fine sand will blow around.
I used the reefflakes medium with 5 mp40’s QD at max 80% no sand will fly.
Even when my nutrientsmode come on for one hour each twice a day no sand flying.
Btw, nutrient mode is set at 100%

 

[DeniseAndy]

I really like the special grade by carib sea for size. it does not blow around (although with enough current will), but gobies are still fine with it. you can search the carib sea and find any sand with similar size and it would work.

 

[madweazl]

I used a sand with .5-1.7mm grain size in my 75g; with two MP40 (WES) at 100% (Reefcrest), it moves around ever so slightly but doesn't create bare spots in the tank. Sand was Nature's Ocean bio-active line up. Our diamond goby has no issues sifting it.

 

[edc_aquarium]

I used a sand with .5-1.7mm grain size in my 75g; with two MP40 (WES) at 100% (Reefcrest), it moves around ever so slightly but doesn't create bare spots in the tank. Sand was Nature's Ocean bio-active line up. Our diamond goby has no issues sifting it.

What sand do you use ?

 

[Geebs19]

If you are looking for a good sand that is small to medium course, Petco sells dry Caribsea sand and it’s only $4.50 for 10 lbs. I just bought 80 lbs worth and after extensive washing I like it a lot.

 

[BedrockIOMC]

I am going with the Hawaii Black sand with my new Red Sea reefer tank. The tank is on white stand and it will look great with the black sand and white stand. I think also that it keeps from pulling your eyes away from the coral like the white sand does. And with bright colors of the corals...…….Yeah going to look great.

 

[Halal Hotdog]

I am noticing a come back in people using a thin layer of crushed coral. It still gives you a substrate, does not blow around, and corals left on substrate can grow on it. I personally don't care for the look, but prefer it over bare bottom. If you have a lot of flow at the substrate level then I would not imagine you would have to do any significant amount of siphoning.

 

[edc_aquarium]

Well i want maybe a half an in of a sand bed, just enough for gobys to play around in how many lbs would you guys recommend for a 55

 

[madweazl]

Well i want maybe a half an in of a sand bed, just enough for gobys to play around in how many lbs would you guys recommend for a 55

I dont think you'll find any sand that wont show bare spots if only 1/2" deep. If you wanted something like a goby/pistol pair you'd need more as well.

 

[edc_aquarium]

Has anyone tired this sand and if so is it good at all

 

[Geebs19]

^^^ This is what I used and its great so far. Just make sure to rinse the crap out of it!

 

[Greaps]

Iv done special grade sand, and bare bottom tanks before. Bare bottom made for an easier system to manage. I am without a tank at the moment but next tank will have a very thin layer of crushed coral as substrate. I imagine it will hide some detritus, contribute to some more surface area, be a haven for pods, allow heavy flow, and be easy enough to siphon occasionally with larger diameter tubing due to it's weight.

 

[mta_morrow]

Well i want maybe a half an in of a sand bed, just enough for gobys to play around in how many lbs would you guys recommend for a 55

First, I would recommend 1 1/2” to 2” at least for gobies. I also scatter crushed rock and coral around for them to use to build their burrows.

I also recommend Carib Sea special grade.

 

[CC13]

I also recommend Carib Sea special grade.

+1 @mta_morrow

 

[browndriver22]

Im using tropic Eden reeflakes and mesoflakes mixture and love it. Very clean sand. My tank is only 16 inches tall and there are no sandstorms.