Want a DSB

I was doing some thinking(maybe a bad thing LOL) and I want a deep sand bed cause I only have about 1" of crushed coral. My question is if I go get some sand from lowes and put it in a container with filter and flow, seed with a peice of my live rock and some crushed coral, let it cycle. Will this be safe to do?

 

Nope. The thing about a deep sand bed is you can't stir it up. If you do you will release nitrates into the water. It would be impossible to then get the sand into your tank without stirring it up.

 

I went back and check the bed and its a 1/4 in. deep. is this enough? I would like about 2 in. in it. Surly there is somthing I can do

 

I personally like to have a 1.5-2" sand bed. Luna

 

Ya a true DSB is more like 4 inches if I remember right. 2 should be ok. Just make sure the sand you get it Silicate free.

 

So me getting sand from lowes will work as long as I wash it good? Do I cycle it first be4 it go's in my DT? My tank is about 4 years old and just got a bad GHA problem under control. Just want to make sure I do this right.
Thanks everone

 

NO......no sand from any hardware store. They contain silicates which is not good for a tank. Luna

 

got ya. thanks lunatik 69. One more thing. Live or not?

 

I prefer the finest granule of sand that you can find. I also prefer LS, but thats just me. Some ppl just like to get the "dead" sand. The 20lb bag of LS usually sells for $20 and change, well at least around here. Good luck.


Luna

 

As for sand, I purchased the Seafloor Special Grade Reef Aragonite sand, it is $34.00 / 40 lbs and shipping is based on $s spent and not weight...so it was very reasonable.

Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand