What type/size sand for heavy current reef tank?

Bigfish93 · Jan 4, 2014

I was just curious to find out what would be the best sand for a reef tank with heavy flow. I dont want sand that will stir up easily or the crushed coral look.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Aquarium-Keeper · Jan 5, 2014

I use CaribSea Aragamax Select Aragonite or Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand for my sw and brackish tanks. I really have had no issues with them...but if you dont rinse the sand really well you will have some nasty cloudyness. I have sand fountains in my fw tanks and had the same issue so I found the CaribSea Aquarium Substrate super natural moonlight works great if you dont mind black sand, the other colors seem to be a smaller grain. I have heard some ppl say that playground sand med grain will work...but I really have no idea and it kinda scares me to try it. Hope this helps \(`-Â´)/

Bigfish93 · Jan 5, 2014

Yeah Im leaning towards the Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand. Seems like a lot of reef aquariums have it.

Aquarium-Keeper · Jan 5, 2014

I use it in my freshwater tanks and Ive never had any issues with cleaning it...and never the horrible smell that comes from other brands. The Caribsea I use in my brackish and reef tanks, no issues either. Either way, good choice with no future regrets.

mbray94 · Jan 8, 2014

I hate the oolite sand. I a using the Carib Sea Fiji Pink. Its just the right size for by gobbies.

-Logzor · Jan 8, 2014

Tropic Eden reef flakes.

The Sea Floor Special Grade is similar size but it's nasty. Lot's of debris in the bag. Tropic Eden is way nicer and way cleaner.

Aquarium-Keeper · Jan 8, 2014

Thats why you need to rinse it well before you use it

Aquarium-Keeper · Jan 8, 2014

Aslo, the Tropic Eden reef flakes have that crushed coral look...its a great sand if thats what you want.

Aquarium-Keeper · Jan 8, 2014

Also lol...sorry

general0 · Jan 8, 2014

I went from CaribSea Aragonite Fiji Pink to CaribSea Seaflor Special Grade Sand and couldn't be happier. In my old setup my female Gold Bar Maroon Clownfish would kick up sand near their corner of the tank every time I would come near to look at it and I had sand storms about 50% of the time! In my current system I run two MP40's and a MP10 and not one issue with sand storms (traded out the mated pair of maroons too!) and this is in a 120g.

revhtree · Jan 8, 2014

I like Tropic Eden as well. It looks great and it doesn't blow around as easy.

jedimasterben · Jan 8, 2014

I use Nature's Ocean Samoa Pink "gravel" #2, which is actually not a gravel. Particle size is 1.5-2.0mm, doesn't blow around a lot unless I really work out my MP40s and MP10. my tank is also only 16" tall, so the MP40s need to be closer to the sand than I'd like.

RonnieBlack · Jan 8, 2014

Its a a nitrate factory ...No thankls

tazguy25 · Jan 8, 2014

Beach Sand from Ft Desoto :wink:

Arjsmithy · Jan 8, 2014

RonnieBlack said:
Its a a nitrate factory ...No thankls

Only if you have nothing to clean your sand bed... My Goby and sand sifting star has a field day playing in my sand bed...

West Mariculture · Jan 9, 2014

I manufacture a coarse grade aragonite that goes from 1-6mm. For those tanks that have significant flow, this is what you want.

Wedge · Jan 9, 2014

I have the Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand from CaribSea, in a 120 with 2 MP-40s, and a 1200GPH Iwaki, as well as 600 GPH Iwaki. They aren't all maxed out but the it does not blow around unless I or something makes it blow around, and when it does it generally falls back down fairly quickly. I did buy the dry stuff and did a bottled bacteria cycle, but all has been running well for me.

Volpone · Feb 6, 2014

Any more suggestions for sand plz

Koaboy · Feb 6, 2014

I have the Fiji Pink in my 100 gallon. It tended to drift up bury coral, etc. Started using a wavemaker with powerheads on opposing ends of the tank (picture "dueling banjo's, lol). Not drifting anymore. My gobies & pistol shrimp push it around pretty easily.