aragonite sand
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Forum Name: General Discussion
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URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45898
Printed Date: December 21 2025 at 6:05pm
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Topic: aragonite sand
Posted By: phinfan
Subject: aragonite sand
Date Posted: January 08 2011 at 2:54pm
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What would be the recommended amount of sand I would want to put on the bottom of my 93 cube? How coarse or fine do I want it to be? What is the preferred brand, and do I want to use the live stuff? What is the preferred brand of sea salt? thanks
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Replies:
Posted By: SGH360
Date Posted: January 08 2011 at 2:58pm
| I prefer Utah sand, and dry sand rather than buy bags that suppose have live bacteria. I use Oceanic sea salt, really like the price and only use this type of brand ever since i got to this hobby |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: January 08 2011 at 3:10pm
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There is no best method, it just depends on what you want.
I really like Utah sand as well. Only 2-3 inches and you will have a DSB. Other sand requires more.
But if you want really high water movement, it can be tough to keep Utah sand in place. In this case you might try a remote DSB and 1/2 inch of course sand of your choice in the display.
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Posted By: Luckedout
Date Posted: January 08 2011 at 3:51pm
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Utah sand is too fine for my tastes. I used a combo of utah sand and crushed coral. My next tank I'll probably just by a dry aragonite that's not too fine
------------- -Ben 90g Mixed reef www.body-balancechiropractic.com |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: January 08 2011 at 4:01pm
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The sand doesn't fly if the water is aimed up (which is very efficient water movement anyway) and eventually the sand sticks together with the growth of bacteria. A layer of course sand over Oolitic keeps it in place. 1.5 average depth of Oolitic and .5 inch of courser sand is all it takes. I slope the sand back so it's only an inch in front and 2-3 inches in back. gives the benefit of a DSB in back. To determine the amount of sand needed in gallons multiply in inches the length X depth(front-back) X height of sand / 230 If this cube is 24"X24"X1.5" of sand that will be 3.75 gallons of sand. Sand weighs about 10 lbs/gal.  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: smacky
Date Posted: January 08 2011 at 4:30pm
| I do Utah sand with about 3/4 inches of coarser stuff on top and it works great for me as well. |