sand requirements

[jwalters77]

How much sand would I need for a 55gal fowlr...I would like at least a 5in bed...
Thanks
Jake

 

[wes]

is it ok to use that southdown play sand from home ***** ?

 

[bobber]

Yes but I suggest sand that is of aragonite composition. It creates a natural buffer and is of better grain size for DSBs. --Bob

 

[wes]

that southdown sand is supposed to be pure aragonite.

 

[cosmosbasement]

I used the south down stuff and yes it costs a lot less. But I didn't like the look of it in my tank. AndI would rather pay more to make my tank look better. I saved and added Nature's Ocean Live Bacterial sand for my entire bottom and seeded it with a detrivore kit. Looks much nicer, but yes the Southdown works, but it really sucks to change a deep sand bed in your tank if you don't like what it looks like.
peace
doug

 

[wes]

why does it look bad?

 

[marine qa]

wes, Southdown is very fine and very white. It is not "sand" colored like you would see on most US beaches. I have it and like the look of it. It would be lame to have to remove it.