Tossing the idea around

[dirty_south87]

Been going back and forth between keeping my black “sand” which is practically gravel for saltwater or switching to actual sand. I like the black but other than snails I can’t get anything that can clean it well like anything with sand. So my question would be is there anything I should worry about when switching them out when it comes to the corals or my livestock?

 

[Fish Styx]

Been going back and forth between keeping my black “sand” which is practically gravel for saltwater or switching to actual sand. I like the black but other than snails I can’t get anything that can clean it well like anything with sand. So my question would be is there anything I should worry about when switching them out when it comes to the corals or my livestock?

Depending on the flow of your tank, you'll want to consider grain size, lest you encounter frequent sand storms. Additionally, if you want to add critters that sift it, you'll want to make sure they can fit it in their mouths. Though, they tend to create sandstorms of their own... and annoy corals. Personally, I'm a fan of reef flake, as I feel it has the perfect size and weight to avoid sandstorms (even with dual MP60s on blast), but can still allow for burrowing and tunneling of gobies and wrasses.make sure though, that no matter what you decide on, TO WASH IT FIRST. Get those fines out now, or they will haunt you for years.

 

[jhadaway]

My understanding is that the black sand is magnetic and will jump to your scraper to scratch your glass.

 

[dirty_south87]

My understanding is that the black sand is magnetic and will jump to your scraper to scratch your glass.

Have not had that issue yet. Luckily

 

[dirty_south87]

Depending on the flow of your tank, you'll want to consider grain size, lest you encounter frequent sand storms. Additionally, if you want to add critters that sift it, you'll want to make sure they can fit it in their mouths. Though, they tend to create sandstorms of their own... and annoy corals. Personally, I'm a fan of reef flake, as I feel it has the perfect size and weight to avoid sandstorms (even with dual MP60s on blast), but can still allow for burrowing and tunneling of gobies and wrasses.make sure though, that no matter what you decide on, TO WASH IT FIRST. Get those fines out now, or they will haunt you for years.

I’ll have to look up the reef flake. My local lfs don’t have that

 

[dirty_south87]

Depending on the flow of your tank, you'll want to consider grain size, lest you encounter frequent sand storms. Additionally, if you want to add critters that sift it, you'll want to make sure they can fit it in their mouths. Though, they tend to create sandstorms of their own... and annoy corals. Personally, I'm a fan of reef flake, as I feel it has the perfect size and weight to avoid sandstorms (even with dual MP60s on blast), but can still allow for burrowing and tunneling of gobies and wrasses.make sure though, that no matter what you decide on, TO WASH IT FIRST. Get those fines out now, or they will haunt you for years.

Could you send me a picture of the reef flake you’re talking about. All I’m pulling up is fish food

 

[Fish Styx]

Could you send me a picture of the reef flake you’re talking about. All I’m pulling up is fish food

Sorry it isn't the best picture, I have a few bags in the garage in my shelf o' aquarium cr@p. I had to pull some stuff off of it and was too lazy to take it off the shelf. Lol. It is called "Tongan Mesoflake", by Tropic Eden.

 

[dirty_south87]

Sorry it isn't the best picture, I have a few bags in the garage in my shelf o' aquarium cr@p. I had to pull some stuff off of it and was too lazy to take it off the shelf. Lol. It is called "Tongan Mesoflake", by Tropic Eden.

Oh yea my lfs don’t carry that one. Is it good for sand sifting starfish and diamond gobies?