1. Do you have an old account but can't access it?


    See Accessing your GIRS Account or Contact Us - We are here to help!

Advice? What is the best live sand to buy

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by jstngates, Jan 26, 2016.

  1. jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

    Toledo Iowa
    Ratings:
    +40 / 1 / -0
    Buying a 220 and I'm gonna switch back from a bare bottom to sand. Any recommendations? How many pounds of live sand for a 220?
     
  2. Ray/Jen_Reefin 2016 Vice President / 2015 Volunteer of the year.

    Davenport, IA
    Ratings:
    +459 / 5 / -0
    We ended getting the figi pink sand.
    15 - 20 lb bags left a very nice bed for us in our 250DD
     
  3. jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

    Toledo Iowa
    Ratings:
    +40 / 1 / -0
    Was it live? How much was it?
     
  4. Jen/Reefin Experienced Reef Keeper

    82
    Davenport, IA
    Ratings:
    +60 / 1 / -0
    Yes live,
    It's about $23- 25 a bag
     
  5. glaspie69

    glaspie69 Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +41 / 2 / -0
    I always mix mine, i use course 2mm special grade aragonite and then mix puka shell in with it. I've always found that its a heavy enough mix that it doesnt blow around like a finer grade sand does, yet still allows for the sand sifter type fish
     
  6. tangers Well-Known ReefKeeper

    455
    Ankeny
    Ratings:
    +155 / 0 / -0
    IMO live sand is a waste money. Get yourself some dry sand of your liking and get a cup or two of a fellow reefers sand out of their tank to seed your new sand and make it live. I've also in the past gotten a cup from multiple different people /tanks to help with the bio diversity. I personally like and have always ran seafloor special grade sand by caribsea.
     
  7. Placid

    280
    Norwalk, IA
    Ratings:
    +60 / 2 / -0
    I agree with Tangers. Sand is expensive and don't need a full tank of live sand. I did this when I first got into the hobby and had over $150+ in sand. After learning a little and setting up the 220G, I purchased sand that was dry from local reefers. I was able to clean the product better and make sure no pest. I then pulled sand from my 75 to seed it. I saved a wallet full of cash doing it this way. You could even go as far as buying dry sand and seeding it with 1 bag of live sand.

    I like the grade, look and quality of the Caribsea Arag alive Fiji Pink. (arag sand will increase PH stability)
     
  8. Jen/Reefin Experienced Reef Keeper

    82
    Davenport, IA
    Ratings:
    +60 / 1 / -0
    I agree with all of the above .
    This is just what we did. Like everyone said , you can use used or dry .

    Just stay away from silica sand...like from petco. It's just cheap dry sand , runs about $8 a bag . It holds all the prostrate, nitrates. You will have a lot of swings
     
  9. abower Well-Known ReefKeeper

    466
    Ryan, Ia
    Ratings:
    +74 / 1 / -0
    Do all dry. Always dry sand, dry rock. U have no idea what's in the bag.
    --- Auto-Merged, Jan 27, 2016, Original Post: Jan 27, 2016 ---
    If you find something cool and you ask a fellow reefer what it is, he has no idea and you think it's a sponge but can't find it on line. Bleach it...
     
  10. blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0
    another vote for the special grade reef sand. Save a lot of money and buy it dry.
     
  11. gburkart

    gburkart Well-Known ReefKeeper

    489
    Ratings:
    +119 / 1 / -0
    i like this guys sand-http://reefrocks.net/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flexible_flypageV1_WIDE.tpl&product_id=5&category_id=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
     
  12. mxrcr

    mxrcr

    74
    Ratings:
    +10 / 0 / -0
    I use trop eden reef flakes and love it. small enough for sand sifters and large enough to stay put. It's dry as well but easily seeded. Its a little harder to find, but well worth it imo.
     
  13. gburkart

    gburkart Well-Known ReefKeeper

    489
    Ratings:
    +119 / 1 / -0
    i've just ordered a 210 and after all the stuff i dont like about sand in my 120,my 210 will have zoos,pallys and chalices with no sand on the bottom ever!!
     
  14. abower Well-Known ReefKeeper

    466
    Ryan, Ia
    Ratings:
    +74 / 1 / -0
    I like my sand bed. Go with a 60 grit equivalent so it doesn't make a sand storm but small enough for a diamond goby to process and keep it nice and white.
    Otherwise I can understand why ppl are opposed to it.
     
  15. jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

    Toledo Iowa
    Ratings:
    +40 / 1 / -0
    I have a bare bottom right now. With all live rock how long do I cycle using my current live rock and if I go bare bottom With my current and new water?
     
  16. gburkart

    gburkart Well-Known ReefKeeper

    489
    Ratings:
    +119 / 1 / -0
    i believe you will just have to keep checking your levels to see when the cycle has been processed
     
  17. jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

    Toledo Iowa
    Ratings:
    +40 / 1 / -0
    I've switched things over a few times over the years I've had a reef. Just never this big from a 125 to a 220. I've gone from a 75 to a 90 to a 125.
     
  18. jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

    Toledo Iowa
    Ratings:
    +40 / 1 / -0
    What about black sand?
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.