What size grain sand do you recommend

Discussion in 'Sand' started by alexander, Oct 21, 2009.

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  1. alexander

    alexander Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Central Valley CA
    I just bought some sugar sized carab sea oolitic aragonite sand from petsmart for my 112g tank. 2-30 pound bags for $40.

    I like how the sugar sized looks, and I'm sure my future gobies will appreciate it.

    What do you guys prefer and why?
     
    alexander, Oct 21, 2009
    alexander, Oct 21, 2009
    #1

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  2. szrazzt

    szrazzt Purple Spiny Lobster

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    I dont like the really super small grain sand. It is too tough to keep the flow up without causing a sand storm or showing bare patches. That said, I also dont like the full sized crushed coral either. I like small sand that is heavy enough not to blow all over the tank.
     
    szrazzt, Oct 21, 2009
    szrazzt, Oct 21, 2009
    #2
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  3. pgreef

    pgreef Fire Goby

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    Sugar sized gives you the most surface area for biological filtration. Just need to make sure your power heads aren't pointing down.
     
    pgreef, Oct 21, 2009
    pgreef, Oct 21, 2009
    #3
  4. finaddictfred

    finaddictfred Plankton

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    I just finished swapping out the sugar sized sand I had in my 90 for a few years. I put aragonite back in and was able to move my ph's way lower. I'll never use sugar sized again.
     
    finaddictfred, Oct 25, 2009
    finaddictfred, Oct 25, 2009
    #4
  5. coloradoReef

    coloradoReef 3reef Sponsor

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    I use aragonite... its all Ive ever used
     
    coloradoReef, Oct 25, 2009
    coloradoReef, Oct 25, 2009
    #5
  6. jzenob

    jzenob Coral Banded Shrimp

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    cleveland, ohio
    anyone know any actually sizes like .008 or something? thanks
     
    jzenob, Oct 28, 2009
    jzenob, Oct 28, 2009
    #6

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  7. Triplemom

    Triplemom Pajama Cardinal

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    Exactly. I just did my mantis tank in argonite with the coarser grain sand. My pistol shrimp and goby bulldoze my other tank all the time - I can't imagine what a mess they would cause with a fine grain sand!
     
    Triplemom, Oct 30, 2009
    Triplemom, Oct 30, 2009
    #7
  8. Tangster

    Tangster 3reef Sponsor

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    You running a DSB ? the function of the sand dictates the size Sugar sand as a rule is a PITA as it will stay in the water column all the time a fish flip its tale and as mentioned you get a dust cloud .
     
    Tangster, Oct 30, 2009
    Tangster, Oct 30, 2009
    #8
  9. horkn

    horkn Giant Squid

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    I run a mix of the finer reef grade sand, and the seaflor special reef grade which is courser.

    That caribsea seafloor special grade is the largest that sand sifting gobies and other burrowers will like, and it won't blow around.
     
    horkn, Oct 30, 2009
    horkn, Oct 30, 2009
    #9
  10. alexander

    alexander Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Location:
    Central Valley CA
    I'm not going to be running a DSB, I'm just going to put about 1 inch or so throughout the tank. I really like how the sugar sized sand looks but if you guys think I'll have too many problems I'll return it.

    Whats PITA?
     
    alexander, Oct 30, 2009
    alexander, Oct 30, 2009
    #10
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