What kind of sand for a saltwater tank?

[mregan24]

Hi everyone,
I am soooo new to the salt water tanks. I slowly in the process of gathering up all the information I can about salt water tanks, before I start making some purchases. Question is, what kind of sand can you use in salt tank? I know with freshwater tanks, you can use playsand, or other types of sand you can buy at say Tractor supply! Will those types of sands work? Or do you need to buy more of a specialized salt sand?
Thanks, and beware, this is the first of many many questions to come! Hope you dont mind!

Thanks again,
Mike

 

[TL1000RSquid]

Argonite based sand is best, it helps with the ph levels, also cheaper silicate sands can promote algae growth.

 

[Ballyhoo]

You also need to consider potential inhabitants and water flow in choosing a grain size. You don't want coarse substrate for burrowing fish but not too fine that your powerheads blow it around.



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[Ballyhoo]

You also need to consider potential inhabitants and water flow in choosing a grain size. You don't want coarse substrate for burrowing fish but not too fine that your powerheads blow it around.



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It posted before I was finished sorry.
This one of my tanks has no burrowing fish, and high flow because its mainly sps (aka the stick farm lol) so its fine sand capped with coarser grains.

My other tank is the opposite, medium/small grains capped with sugar fine sand, as I intend on having a yellow headed jaw fish that will burrow, also very very few sps so lower flow.



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[mregan24]

Thanks for the response. So much information its tough to sift through it all to find whats best. I appreciate your input!
Cheers,
Mike

 

[Amphiprion]

Argonite based sand is best, it helps with the ph levels, also cheaper silicate sands can promote algae growth.

Actually, once grains become coated in a biofilm, it will make little difference as to the composition, since solubility will be nearly non-existent. You will get an immediate increase in silicates when fresh sand is used, though. Then again, aragonitic sands will actually raise silicate concentrations slightly, as well (though this is small by comparison). I'd say using/not using silica sand would be more based upon both aesthetic and practical reasons, such as those pointed out by Ballyhoo. That being said, I still prefer aragonitic sand and the way it looks (though I have some silica sand, as well).

 

[Khemul]

The main disadvantage I see with silica is that it is partially transluscent.

Without the burrowers and sand sifter I know my sandbed (pool filter sand) would have turned algae color down to about a 1/2 inch down by now.


Aragonite seems more solid in color and so stands out a bit better. And maintains a bit better.