Best sand?

75Gallons · #1 08/21/2007, 03:08 PM

My first time around setting up my tank I bought a tone of the CaribSea Live Sand. I read on a thread somewhere this was a total rip off. I'm looking for any suggestions on which namebrand and type of sand to buy. I want a dsb but so please give me any input you can.

ledford1 · #2 08/21/2007, 03:14 PM

I wouldn't buy all live sand. I'd mostly buy dry sand, to save some money, and mix in some live sand. It will all become live.

bertoni · #3 08/21/2007, 03:57 PM

Any fine-grained aragonite or silicate sand is fine as far as the animals are concerned. The finest commercial aragonite sand is okay. Sandblasting sand, around 150#, is probably better, although it might not look as good to you.

jer77 · #4 08/21/2007, 04:18 PM

I like carib sea aragamax sugar sized sand. 0.1mm-1.0mm in grain size oolitic sand. Or carib sea aragamax select which is 0.5-1.5 in grain size. The larger grain size will support larger micro-life like pods and is good for burying animals that need structural support for their holes. The finer grain sand is good for smaller lifeforms and is good for a dsb with less thickness than the larger grain stuff. This stuff is around $15-20/ 30lbs. Or you can go with play sand or sandblasting sand which is cheaper. Or you can hunt for some stockpiled southdown from someone in your local reef club like I did.