Amount of substrate for a 36" x 18" tank

[gmann1139]

I'm going to be setting up a 30g breeder (36" x 18" x 12" high). Trying to figure out how much substrate (aragonite, of course) I'm going to need. I'm not looking for a DSB, just enough to cover the bottom well.
My guess is 40 - 50 lbs, but I'm hoping someone out there has set up a 30g or 40g breeder recently and can tell me how much (and hopefully what brand) they used.

 

[girlina4x4]

just click "Live sand" on the left side of this page, there is a calculator that will tell you how much you need

 

[gmann1139]

Wow, very cool. Never realized that was there.
For a 1.25" bed, it gave me 32.8 lbs, so it looks like I was a little high, but on the right track.

 

[one/eighth]

Not to hijack this thread or anything but that calculator does not work on my CPU. Can someone find out how much pounds is needed for 48x24x6"

 

[metweezer]

280 lbs. based on the figures you gave. You want a 6" deep sandbed

 

[stanlalee]

just to cover the bottom comfortably, about 15lbs. No seriously. I did a 100g (72x18" about 1/2" plus a 6gallon nano 1.5" and threw some in the sump) with 40lbs. I'm pretty sure I have no more than 10lbs in my current 30g (36x12" footprint). I have sand to spare in there. some spots are an 1" deep. You could be safe and go 20lbs.
this is what I refer too as comfortable (aka I want the look but really dont want sand). no more than 10lb (I had a 10g with about a 3" layer and lets just say I still have a 10g with at least a 1.5" layer I didn't use). and I covered the bottom with sand before I added liverock so its not like its bare under the liverock.

this was the 100g (72"x18" footprint) with 40lb box of florida live sand (its all I bought so it cant be more than that).

and I still had enough left over to do this

and a small layer over play sand in the sump

and I STILL had a litte more left over so I seriously doubt you need 40-50lbs. At most 20lbs (your tank is half the length and same width as my 100g even though I didn't use all 40lbs in it).

 

[gmann1139]

Interesting. I think I'll start with 20 - 25 lbs and see where that gets me. I can always add more if necessary.