what sand should I use?

Scotty LaBeouf · Feb 29, 2016

So im almost finished with my 30g shallow build just need some live sand. I prefer the look of fine sugary sand, but im going to have a goby shrimp pair eventually, so I think I should use something a little less fine. I looked at bahamas oolite and samoa pink, this will be my 5th reef tank. What do you think I should go with? Also I was going to put 40 pounds of live sand will this be overkill? I want to make up for the live rock there will only be 18 pounds in the system.

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 1, 2016

Nooooo oolite you should know it's mud basically.
And the sand probably won't make up for the rock that much as it not as porous and gets less flow.
40 lb is probably fine. Get something pretty. It should match your scape. I have the Med stuff with the sea shells. It's neat. I have th point five sugar sand and it doesn't blow around.
I would set the scape on crate and add the rock then dump the sand on. Diggers can topple stuff.
There's some nice course stuff too. Digger will dig in anything I think b

Also why are you speaking in bold.

Scotty LaBeouf · Mar 1, 2016

saltyfilmfolks said:
Nooooo oolite you should know it's mud basically.
And the sand probably won't make up for the rock that much as it not as porous and gets less flow.
40 lb is probably fine. Get something pretty. It should match your scape. I have the Med stuff with the sea shells. It's neat. I have th point five sugar sand and it doesn't blow around.
I would set the scape on crate and add the rock then dump the sand on. Diggers can topple stuff.
There's some nice course stuff too. Digger will dig in anything I think b

Also why are you speaking in bold.

no oolite it is then haha never knew that about it. I put the main points to address in bold for those not interested in reading a paragraph, it makes it quick and easy for the reader/responder lol and yea Im mostly getting 40 lbs of sand to have a slightly deeper sand bed.

Scotty LaBeouf · Mar 1, 2016

Whats the most popular/desirable sand company?

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 1, 2016

caribsea and natures ocean.

Nick92515 · Mar 1, 2016

May I ask why u need live sand, with live rock the sand will get bacteria eventualy? Just a thought.

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 1, 2016

Nick92515 said:
May I ask why u need live sand, with live rock the sand will get bacteria eventualy? Just a thought.

yes it will but longer cycling time, also bacterial diversity.
The sand is actually cycling, so is the rock, so really the tank has cycled. "tanks dont cycle the rocks do" is a thing I say.

The new tank stuff is just the building up of the "cycle" ie bacterial colonies to the point where it can handle the break down of organics.

The live rock actually is what is going to contribute the most to the organics(instead of a store shrimp or sacrificial fish method) as it will have some dieoff, that depends on where its from, is it used, how long has it been curing, how long was it out of the water etc.

So Live sand is just an additional buffer so to speak,s its already cured and kinda live with bottled bacteria. I also use Fiji mud ($15) for bacterial diversity and mix it in the sand. If you have acess to natural seawater up on the bay there I would definitely get some. We have Scripps down here and Im experimenting and researching a theory that that is a huge accidental contributor to the success of many of the tanks here.

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 1, 2016

By NSW I mean filtered. Scripps is a research facility and the water goes to the lab and aquarium and food stores too actually. Catalina in LA has a similar facility.

Paul B goes and get his from the ocean. but hes smarter than me, better looking, and has a 44 year old reef tank.