The Best Reef Sand?

Paul87 · Jan 26, 2015

I currently have a 38 gallon that I am going to switch over to my new 40 breeder for dimensional purposes and was looking for advice on sand. I'm not really interested in a bare bottom tank. The sand in my current tank is the sugar fine mixed with some of the slightly coarser pink. I would like to have a little coarser sand than this. Just wondering what others prefer and why. Also what is your preference on deep sand beds or shallow. My current is about 3"-4" if I had to guess. Thanks in advance.

JMMJ13902 · Jan 26, 2015

Check out special grade reef floor sand...they are in perfect size IMO.

Paul87 · Jan 27, 2015

JMMJ13902 said:
Check out special grade reef floor sand...they are in perfect size IMO.

Thanks Ill look into it.

Paul87 · Jan 27, 2015

How about this CaribSea Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand?

Marine Aquarium Substrate: CaribSea Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand

JMMJ13902 · Jan 27, 2015

Yup that's the one. And you don't need to buy live sand either, dry sand will work if you want to save a few bucks not buying live sand.

Paul87 · Jan 27, 2015

Ok. Yea I planned on getting all dry. That live sand is full of phosphates. I have plenty of live rock to seed it.

Paul87 · Jan 28, 2015

Well the LFS has super reef which is really chunky with shells, and the figi pink which is smaller (0.5-1.5mm grains). Do you think the figi pink would blow around easily?

gioNVA · Jan 28, 2015

I would suggest you look into the Tropic Eden Reefflakes or combine it with the miniflakes. Very minimal rinsing required and it doesn't blow around. I prefer it over the caribsea stuff but it does cost a few dollars more.

Paul87 · Jan 28, 2015

I have heard of this stuff being the best option out there. I will definitely look into it, forgot all about it.

danangelo · Jan 29, 2015

gioNVA said:
I would suggest you look into the Tropic Eden Reefflakes or combine it with the miniflakes. Very minimal rinsing required and it doesn't blow around. I prefer it over the caribsea stuff but it does cost a few dollars more.

I agree I have grand select with reef flakes best sand I've used worth every penny

wangspeed · Jan 29, 2015

+1 Reefflakes. Hard to find at the moment, so go with Caribsea Special Grade if you need a standby.

seagull18 · Jan 29, 2015

I believe Premium Aquatics has it.

wangspeed · Jan 29, 2015

It's perpetually out of stock.

Paul87 · Jan 30, 2015

Ok so I ended up getting a sand that wasn't discussed here. It is by carribsea, called flamingo reef sand. It is the coloration of the figi pink, but the size of special grade seaflor. 1-2mm. I traded in some coral for 45 lbs of it. I think that should be just about right in my 40 breeder (18x36). It has a 5 star review on marine depot so hopefully it was a good choice. I do like the color of the figi pink, I have some in my current tank.

(not my photo)

jgraz · Jan 30, 2015

Tropic Eden, any of the grades are great. Reef Flakes won't blow around at all. I think someone above mentioned mixing flakes with grand select. I mixed them with mini flakes and loved that too.

mwbeach · Nov 29, 2018

Is this what is recommended?

Captain Quint · Nov 29, 2018

Paul87 said:
Well the LFS has super reef which is really chunky with shells, and the figi pink which is smaller (0.5-1.5mm grains). Do you think the figi pink would blow around easily?

Paul87 It has been several years but I do not recall having issues with the Fiji Pink and it looks good in the tank IMHO.

jgraz · Nov 29, 2018

mwbeach said:
Is this what is recommended?

Won't be disappointed with that choice

Rcollick · Nov 29, 2018

Another vote for Tropic eden. It's a very white sand and is really clean. I got the meso flakes it's a little finer than the reef flakes. It doesn't blow around either.