Aragonite sand

Well, I thought I did my homework on what sand to use but, It seems like I didnt do enough..

I have a 90gal build going on, running for about 3wks, and started my cycle about 3days ago..I used caribsea aragonite sand(Sugar size) And Its pretty much getting blown around, only running my return pointed as far up as I can get them....It's in the water column, going in my sump and piling up in places..Half the people say it's good to use the other half say it's not...I only added about 70lbs of it...I'm not sure what I should do at this point?!?! Let it try and settle after the cycle is done and I get some fish in to build up bio film or cover it with some heavier aragonite, Or get it out now and adding something different before adding fish??


Thanks for any input!

 

It should be settling down once the bacteria colonies grow. If your cycle just started then the colonies will take alittle bit to grow. My sand did the same thing until after my cycle

 

Thanks Mother!

Are you using the sand?

 

IMO - def. worth sticking it out as the small grained sand not only looks awesome but performs like a champ when it's colonized.

Pretty soon you will have a bacterial layer on the surface of the sand that will form a "biofilm" which will help to keep the sand down.

IMO - you want the flow in your tank to be passing on the sandbed just before the point to where you have a sandstorm.

The sand bed needs water circulation also to function properly. This will prevent excess sulfur dioxide and excess detritis buildup.

 

I forgot what brand mine is but it is FINE, sugar sized as well. I have flow on it too and now it basically stays in place unless my Noel (pistol shrimp) begins to dig her burrows or up keeps them but the sand calms right back down.

 

+1 M-Ocean Man.

The bed basically evolves as the tank starts to get established.

 

+1 Great advice. I 100% agree.

Sand beds need flow. Good luck

 

Yeap.

I am not a fan of sugar sized at all, because of tendency to clump. The one time I used it I had a chronic problem with cyanobacteria. Replaced the sand bed after 3 months and the cyanobacteria was gone.

 

Great advice everyone, Thanks!


I'll ride it out and let it settle in!