The best gravel for a Reef tank

[marvin willis]

Any Suggestions?

 

[bruner54]

sand

 

[michaeltx]

a sugar sized sand is the best substrate for SW tanks. just becareful because some sands that are silica based cause more trouble than they are worth. an argonite based sand is the best to use.
Mike

 

[lexluethar]

Fine aragonite. It buffers well, and is small enough to act almost like sand, but is a bit heavier so that it can take a bit more flow w/o blowing around everywhere.

 

[lexluethar]

Your killing me Mike, let me answer a few first!

 

[marvin willis]

Is playground sand a no no?

 

[michaeltx]

o but why LOL
Mike

 

[michaeltx]

for the most part no unless its argonite based it will fizzle when you add vinegar to it and disolve if it is argonite based.
mike

 

[marvin willis]

Should i get live sand and mix it with other sand to save money?

 

[anonome]

Good question.....most people add aragonite sand then after that settles you can add a few bags of live sand to seed the sand. How big of a tank are we talking about?

 

[marvin willis]

Originally Posted by Anonome
http:///forum/post/2651177
Good question.....most people add aragonite sand then after that settles you can add a few bags of live sand to seed the sand. How big of a tank are we talking about?
55 gallons

 

[anonome]

A standard 55? 48" long? If so then you will need about 80lbs of sand to obtain a 2 inch sand bed. Most people will "shortcut" the sand bed by getting dead sand, just make sure it is fine grade, Aragonite sand is best, then add live sand on top....no need to mix, just let it be, smooth it out and it will seed the dead sand in no time. 1 bag of live sand is sufficient. (25lbs)

 

[marvin willis]

what exactly is dead sand, and live sand?

 

[jints]

Originally Posted by Marvin Willis
http:///forum/post/2651241
what exactly is dead sand, and live sand?
dead sand just means there is nothing in it. The opposite which is live sand has beneficial bacteria and critters in it...which breaks down ammonia etc and starts the chain reaction for biological filtration.

 

[marvin willis]

Originally Posted by Jints
http:///forum/post/2651408
dead sand just means there is nothing in it. The opposite which is live sand has beneficial bacteria and critters in it...which breaks down ammonia etc and starts the chain reaction for biological filtration.
Can i apply live sand with the dead sand at the same time?

 

[michaeltx]

you can but if your adding dead sand first its actually better on the critters in the and to wait till after the cycle is done.
Mike

 

[marvin willis]

Alright i will wait for the cycle is done till i add live sand.

 

[jints]

Originally Posted by Marvin Willis
http:///forum/post/2651490
Alright i will wait for the cycle is done till i add live sand.
+1