siskiou Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 I'm trying to decide if I should start out with new sand in the 120G I'll be setting up, or if I should use they sand currently in the 40G and add more. I assume my 3 1/2 year old sand in the 20H should go in the compost, even though it looks nice and clean thanks to Pernicus, the Watchman goby and his friend Fidget, the pistol shrimp. I've seen some very nice looking sand in pictures here, and wonder what type of sand people are using. It seems I always end up with the coarse and dirty looking stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 I like the araganite. You may contact some one local LFS and see if theyhave, or can get the sand from PC. I use a #2 and really like it. White, clean, and stays way clean. If not down there, I'm sure someone here(Salem) could get it for you. I don't know how deep your SB was, but you may want to give a good cleaning in tank water, get all the crap out, but maintain bio.If you reuse it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly guy Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 Dont reuse it. Really. Its NEVER worth it IMO. I can honestly say one of the biggest mistakes in my reefing history was trying to wash and reuse sand, and like us all, ive made plenty of other silly mistakes........ i like Caribsea Seaflor special Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-3 Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 Carib Seaflor special is the way to go. Good stuff. Later Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted September 2, 2006 Author Share Posted September 2, 2006 I wish Southdown/Old Castle were available in this area! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-3 Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 You might contact Ryan at Advanced Aquarium in Salem. Im not sure if he has some still. I know he had some a long time ago. Its worth a shot. Later Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted September 2, 2006 Author Share Posted September 2, 2006 Thanks! I'll give it a try! Anyone else still have a bag or two lying around? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyles Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 before that let me know what grain your looking for, if its a medium density or fine like southdown, my local store is about 25% cheaper than the stores you shop at local. I can always haul some up. The price here was about $12 a bag cheaper.... or more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-3 Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 Nice deal! Later Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted September 2, 2006 Author Share Posted September 2, 2006 I think I want to try fine and white this time. Does anybody know what type of sand "ringwurm" is using in his new 330g? It looks great in the pictures. Nyles, ca you give me a price quote? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 still building my first reef tank so bear wit ha nub hre....buti hear alot about southdown on reef central.....what makes it different and why is it good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly guy Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 Southdown is aragonite sand. It costs about 1/10 as much as aragonite such as Caribsea brand. It isnt sold for the reef hobby, it is sold for playgrounds and sandboxes etc. Home depot used to sell it but i hear they dont anymore or are phasing it out or something....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R2R2 Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 Home Depot sells southdown sand in the southern united states as transportation costs are less(the stuff comes from florida) and every once in a while a batch made its way up north. I don't believe the Home Despot has ever sold the stuff here, but if they did, with shipping costs added in, I bet the cost would go way up. Ryan@advancedreef.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted September 2, 2006 Author Share Posted September 2, 2006 Got another sand question: I'm only aiming for a shallow bed (1- 1 1/2"). How much will I need for a 48X24" footprint? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowman Posted September 3, 2006 Share Posted September 3, 2006 Start with 30 pounds and work up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted September 3, 2006 Author Share Posted September 3, 2006 Do you think 50lbs would be plenty for a 120? That's the size bags it comes in. Or should I get 2 bags (100lbs)? I guess I'm still remembering the 1-2lbs per gallon rule, but that may be for DSBs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly guy Posted September 3, 2006 Share Posted September 3, 2006 I think 2 siskou, or maybe 1 1/2. FWIW, i wanted 4" in my 225, and it took 240 lbs of caribsea seaflor special. BUT, you are going shallow so throwing one 50 lb bag down might suffice for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyles Posted September 3, 2006 Share Posted September 3, 2006 Do you think 50lbs would be plenty for a 120? That's the size bags it comes in. Or should I get 2 bags (100lbs)? I guess I'm still remembering the 1-2lbs per gallon rule, but that may be for DSBs. I put 80 pounds in my 6' x 18-24" bow It gave me about 2" deep (medium course aragonite) so I would probably get 50 pounds and see what that gets you. The sand your getting is a little more dense, so it will take more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 if i want sand sifters such as a jawfish or goby i should probably go wit ha DSB of like 3-4 inches right? How much sand would I need for a 40 stretch hex ya think? and southdown isnt available here correct? I will have to keep looking then. thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyles Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 My jawfish does 100% fine with 2" deep, he doesn't really care, he has set up shop in a barnacle and pile sand over the front entrance. He has used the 2" bed for about 4-5 months til he found the barnacle I strategically placed near his home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 thats awesome nyles! I really want something to keep my sandbed stirred up and clean. I really hate when a tank has beautiful corals and rockwork and the sandbed looks like poo. There is another brand of sand called playwright that is sold thru lowes and is aragonite like southdown. Anyone ever looked into this type or used it before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted September 4, 2006 Author Share Posted September 4, 2006 I know there is supposed to be a brand called "Yardright". Is the sand you've seen nice and white? You can do the "vinegar test" to see if it reacts. If yes, it's supposedly okay to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 vinegar test? and i think you are right its called yardwright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted September 4, 2006 Author Share Posted September 4, 2006 Take a couple of spoonfuls of the sand, pour some white vinegar on it and it should foam and bubble, and basically slowly disolve, if it's calcium based. Did you see that sand here in this area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 someone told me the lowes in bend had some by mistake...going to check tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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