lost on substrates

[cordell]

I just can't figure out what to do about my substrate.. I'm going for a DSB on my 75g.. but I sure can't find any southdown anywhere down here in louisiana. I can't afford ALL livesand, I was thinking 50lb from swf.com? But I don't know what I should use for the other 100lb that I need. Aragonite sells at *****, they have 3 different kinds.. what size should the grains be anyways-the smallest they have? Other than that.. what do you guys think would be a smart way to get the DSB that I want? Home Depot only sells play sand. LFS sells aragonite I think, but it is around $1/lb. I'm really stuck on this one thing for now, since I want to put it in first, or while I do the rocks anyways. Should I put the sand, live sand, base rock, uncured live rock in all at the same time?
thanks
cordell

 

[dreeves]

You can also look to purearagonite.com for aragonite sand...they are reasonable considering the shipping fees...then seed that with the 50 pounds of LS from here.

 

[nm reef]

CaribSea makes a few special products...I like to use a combination of oolitic sand and seaflor grade sand...then use 25-50 lbs of LS...Natures Ocean makes a good LS and our host does sell a quality LS product. With you working for the giants of modern day capitolism I'd think you could locate a product they were carrying last spring that several folks were using...it was a aragonite based white playsand packaged under the famous capitolism brand. :thinking:
Can you tell I'm not a fan of the company owned by some of the richest people in the world that continues to claim they save us all a fortune......

 

[dreeves]

Interesting usage of specific terms and titles there NM...

 

[cordell]

well thanks for pointing me in some good directions.. swf.com should sell some kind of aragonite sand I think! I'll check those links.. and just for swf.com, I still plan on buying a good bunch of sand from ya, so don't fuss

 

[cordell]

oh and what is a good grain size for sand? Should all of the sand have ruffly the same size grain? a COmpany for PETs here sells a few different kinda of aragonite in 20lb bags.. pretty pricey though.
I'm looking at some sugar sized aragamax 0.2 - 1.2mm
and Fiji Pink 1-2 mm diameter grain size
and Oolitic Select Aragamax 0.5-1.02mm
Which is best, or combo of two or three?

 

[beaslbob]

I use plain old play sand from Hd lowes or wall mart. Seems to work fine. I am even getting pods in it. It sells for $3.00/50 pounds.

 

[cordell]

well I was wondering about that.. The only place I can get sand is at Lowe's actually, Home Depot doesn't have any (seasonal?), but I was worried that it might have something harmful in it. I dunno if it is silicate-based or not, I don't believe it said.

 

[cordell]

So there is no such thing as TOO small grain size?

 

[cordell]

Ok.. well I'm about to go ahead and order 120lb with my lighting components.. get it all at once. It says like .18 - 1.2mm size.. seems good.
And just a check before I click SUBMIT... what ya think about my list?
ARAGONITE Pure Caribbean Aragonite 40 lb $16.95 (3) $50.85
MOUNTS Italian End Cap MOUNTS - pair $5.00 (4) $20.00
END-CAPG German End Caps - pair $9.95 (4) $39.80
46WVHO URI 46in - 110 watt Actinic White - VHO $25.90 (2) $51.80
46BVHO URI 46in - 110 watt Actinic Blue - VHO $22.90 (2)$45.80
EJ-19250 EBO-JAGER TS Heater - 250 watt (1) $17.99
Two workhorse7 ballasts on ----.. should take care of my lighting system. Tank is 75g, btw. I have three maxijet900s coming in already. Ro/DI unit coming. This should give a good start huh? After I get the stand/canopy stained, I'll get the aragonite in there, then I'll mix up some water in a trash can and let it sit overnight with a powerhead and heater. Soon, I'll figure out where I'm gonna get my rock from, here or some other place. What ya think.. ? Just checking...
cordell

 

[oceanic110]

Originally posted by beaslbob
I use plain old play sand from Hd lowes or wall mart. Seems to work fine. I am even getting pods in it. It sells for $3.00/50 pounds.
Beaslbob, Did the plain old play sand come with any plants/Macros?

 

[cordell]

yes I found it squishy.. thanks, was helpful. I dunno why I said trashcan.. was just typing quicker than my mind was thinking.
cordell

 

[cordell]

so should I mix my saltwater first and let it mix for a day, then add the sand to that? in the two tubs, that is. Should I do water changes, check for ammonia often?

 

[cordell]

ok so how do I get the bacteria to start growing on the sand that was mentioned in the other thread? Should I just throw in some flakes? Or did you mean that I should get live sand and mix it all in.. then put it in the tubs?