hi folks, i am planning using a dsb in my new 100g reef tank.sand over here in uk is expensive so i was intending using 2"-3" playsand with 2"-3" aragonite sand on top, seeded with live sand from a couple of sources.the playsand is brown in colour so doing it this way would not only save me money but would also give me more attractive white sand to view rather than the less attractive brown playsand.Can anyone see any problems with this idea????.Should i mix the aragonite sand using fine and sugar sized(if so what ratio?)or should i use fine throughout?
sand for dsb???
- Thread starter ClownieandBilly
- Start date
The grain size is critical. Here's a very helpful article that's worth a look: http://www.rshimek.com/reef/sediment.htm
The playsand/aragonite combo might work if the grain sizes are appropriate.
I couldn't find reasonably priced aragonaite sand in my area either, so I used pure white silica-based sandblasting sand and it only cost about $15 per 100 pounds. It's been in there for a year and works very well.
The playsand/aragonite combo might work if the grain sizes are appropriate.
I couldn't find reasonably priced aragonaite sand in my area either, so I used pure white silica-based sandblasting sand and it only cost about $15 per 100 pounds. It's been in there for a year and works very well.
I think "critical" is a relative term.
Will varied grain sizes provide the very best results? According to Dr. Ron, certainly..
However, will any grain size, so long as it is sugar-like, provide the right environment for a healthy and functional DSB? According to countless keepers including myself, absolutely...
If you can economically provide a nice varied grain, then by all means go ahead and do it. But please don't think you are doomed if you cannot. My 55 and 29 both used Home Depot play sand for ~$3.00/bag and my DSB's are thriving. Lots of life can be seen in them and pollutant levels are all nil (including nitrate, but I attribute some of that to my skimmer)...
I guess what I'm saying is that you can easily micro-manage your way to insanity in dealing with sw tanks if you stress over every tiny detail. Both ways work, pick how precise you wanna be and stick with it.
Will varied grain sizes provide the very best results? According to Dr. Ron, certainly..
However, will any grain size, so long as it is sugar-like, provide the right environment for a healthy and functional DSB? According to countless keepers including myself, absolutely...
If you can economically provide a nice varied grain, then by all means go ahead and do it. But please don't think you are doomed if you cannot. My 55 and 29 both used Home Depot play sand for ~$3.00/bag and my DSB's are thriving. Lots of life can be seen in them and pollutant levels are all nil (including nitrate, but I attribute some of that to my skimmer)...
I guess what I'm saying is that you can easily micro-manage your way to insanity in dealing with sw tanks if you stress over every tiny detail. Both ways work, pick how precise you wanna be and stick with it.