What sand to buy?

[Notsolostfish]

I bought the marine x60.2, im completely new to the hobby, and im looking to buy sand. I looked through bunch of options and it seem the caribsea special grade is what yall use? What do you guys suggest?

 

[JumboShrimp]

Yes, the Aragonite “Special Grade” is the best of all worlds, in my opinion. Best wishes!

 

[Rmckoy]

I’m not sure of the name but it was Caribsea live sand
I prefer the smaller grain compared to the larger pieces of shells etc .

be sure to rinse the sand well before using

 

[FishyDP]

+1 special grade. I would stay away from any fine sand, will get blown around, stuck in impellers, bare spots, and be a general mess especially if you have good flow, which is essential to have!

Another option is to go barebottom/no sand. This is great for function, no sand to clean or get blown around and looks clean. I switched from fine sand, to barebottom and finally landed on special grade. Barebottom was good, but I just missed the natural look of sand.

 

[sfin52]

I love the Caribsea live sand Bahama oolite its a fine sand thats amazing for sand sleeping fish and inverts who like to live in the sand

 

[reeferpat137]

I bought the marine x60.2, im completely new to the hobby, and im looking to buy sand. I looked through bunch of options and it seem the caribsea special grade is what yall use? What do you guys suggest?

Oolight, figi pink, special grade. Dont go any larger in grain size it will capture more waste and will need to be cleaned more often. If youre doing a deep sand bed stick with the figi pink and oolight, or blend them. Fine grain sands work best in DSB 4" or more as its easier for micro organisms to move through the sand and allows anerobic bacteria to do its job. DO NOT RINSE LIVE SAND

 

[encrustingacro]

I love the Caribsea live sand Bahama oolite its a fine sand thats amazing for sand sleeping fish and inverts who like to live in the sand

Oolight, figi pink, special grade. Dont go any larger in grain size it will capture more waste and will need to be cleaned more often. If youre doing a deep sand bed stick with the figi pink and oolight, or blend them. Fine grain sands work best in DSB 4" or more as its easier for micro organisms to move through the sand and allows anerobic bacteria to do its job. DO NOT RINSE LIVE SAND

I feel like Bahamas oolite would be too small and would blow around.

 

[reeferpat137]

I feel like Bahamas oolite would be too small and would blow around.

I have a figi pink/aragonite blend with an MP10 @ 50% short pulse wave. 2.5" in a 13.5 fluval. Works fine for me. My 65 gal has 4" of figi pink 2x MP10 @ 100% reef crest, and a mag 18 return pump, still good on the sand... good rock work will also help cut the flow at the sand bed

 

[jsker]

I have the Caribsea black sand. I like the look of the dark sand bed.

One FYI about the black sand, if you are using a magnetic glass cleaner. The magnetic cleaner will pick up some grains of sand when getting to the sand bed. The black sand, has some grains the will attach to the magnetic side of the cleaners.

Beside that, I have been very happy with the look.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Aragalive pink, special or puka

 

[sfin52]

I feel like Bahamas oolite would be too small and would blow around.

It all depends on what your trying to do. Sps high flow agree. Lps moderate flow should be fine.

 

[Sean Clark]

I prefer the look of smaller sand but you do need to be careful with the flow. The flow is less of an issue with larger sand like special grade but I don't think it looks as nice. Pretty much comes down to personal preference and what you want to put in the tank. Best of luck.

 

[aquaman3680]

It all depends on what your trying to do. Sps high flow agree. Lps moderate flow should be fine.

I put a single bag of Oolight sand in my 75 along with 80lbs of Fiji Pink/Aragonite and regret every second of it. I don't have SPS and pretty moderate flow and it's still getting all over the rocks and up in the water column. I'm actively trying to siphon a little bit out with every water change in hopes to get it all out eventually.

 

[sfin52]

I put a single bag of Oolight sand in my 75 along with 80lbs of Fiji Pink/Aragonite and regret every second of it. I don't have SPS and pretty moderate flow and it's still getting all over the rocks and up in the water column. I'm actively trying to siphon a little bit out with every water change in hopes to get it all out eventually.

It does have some very fine particles one your though that stage its amazing.

 

[aquaman3680]

It does have some very fine particles one your though that stage its amazing.

How long does that stage last?

 

[sfin52]

How long does that stage last?

A few weeks.

 

[Tray21]

I have the Bahama Oolite and like it a lot! The only issue with it clouding up the tank was in the first couple of weeks of my diamond goby being in the tank. Since then it has been pretty clear.

 

[sfin52]

I have the Bahama Oolite and like it a lot! The only issue with it clouding up the tank was in the first couple of weeks of my diamond goby being in the tank. Since then it has been pretty clear.

Yep thats my experience. My pistol shrimp i just added hasn't clouded the water. I've had the sand in two years