My turn to move to the dark side!

[Heathd]

http://www.ronshimek.com/deep_sand_beds.html

Reading right now, pretty good article.

 

[Veil-o's]

That was an excellent read.

So 10% of the tanks total volume by weight will be live sand. By a simple Google search I have found the conversion formula to be

gallons x 8.3453 = pounds of water

72 x 8.3453 = roughly 601lbs total volume by weight. This leave me 60lbs of live sand (more than reasonable). The article over at RC states using a 4" DSB as well as the Ron Shimek's article linked by Puffer. I would hate to start out with 2" only to go back and mess with the tank to add another 2" to stabilize the tank. According to 3reef.com they are saying about a 1 : 1.5 gallons vs. sand ratio to achieve a 2" sand bed.

http://www.3reef.com/aquarium_calculators/ this lovely little calculator tells me that with my tank dimensions of 48 3/8 x 18 x 23 I will need roughly 165lbs of sand to achieve a 4" DSB. Luckily Home Depot sells play sand at an incredibly low price and it is recommended to use such sand for a base. Soooooo...

105lbs of play sand from Home Depot
60lbs of live sand
=
DSB

Does this sound correct?

 

[Kevin8888]

... there are problems with playsand, and its not what people usualy argue, its a silica sand which is fine, but the particle size is wrong for a true DSB, as they articel says you need rediculusly fine sand, infack so fine that I've had difficulty finding anything close to it.

 

[Veil-o's]

Okay so I am confused. If you can't find sand that is fine enough, how are you able to create a sand bed in your tank?

Basically from what I have gathered and what I am being told are two different things.

2 articles say 4" sand bed.
1 article says use a certain brand of play sand and seed the bed with live sand on top...

Successful reef keepers use what?

 

[Heathd]

... there are problems with playsand, and its not what people usualy argue, its a silica sand which is fine, but the particle size is wrong for a true DSB, as they articel says you need rediculusly fine sand, infack so fine that I've had difficulty finding anything close to it.

I bit the bullet and purchased the sand from marcorocks, and will let you know about the grain size.

 

[Kevin8888]

Okay so I am confused. If you can't find sand that is fine enough, how are you able to create a sand bed in your tank?

Basically from what I have gathered and what I am being told are two different things.

2 articles say 4" sand bed.
1 article says use a certain brand of play sand and seed the bed with live sand on top...

Successful reef keepers use what?

I'm extreamly picky haha, you can make do with bigger or smaller particels, I'm trying to find the perfect grain size haha. Though I have used standard "sugar fine" sand in the past with pretty good results. You will probably be alright with the playsand.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Hook up with some local reefers: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=392

 

[Veil-o's]

Thanks guys for the posts. I actually went to several local fish stores and checked out their tanks. Looks like a lot of people are using branded "fine grain" sand. I guess that would be the right way to go. I want to be extremely picky as well, but it can't hurt to save a little.

 

[TheCanuck]

i suggest saving on everything but the sand.... I had two rough tank starts due to this.

One sand caused major algae problems, other kill fish instantly.


Play sand and silica is best left in FW tanks..

 

[Veil-o's]

i suggest saving on everything but the sand.... I had two rough tank starts due to this.

One sand caused major algae problems, other kill fish instantly.


Play sand and silica is best left in FW tanks..

I was waiting for a chime in from you. Do you suggest a base sand or just all out live sand?