DSB need the RIGHT sand

[slowburn57]

We went to our first meeting Tuesday and enjoyed it very much. Thanks to everyone. Now a question.

I have a 75 gallon tank that is already up and going. I have aquired a 125 gallon tank and of course want it to be a reef as well. My 75 is doing well but I do not have a sand bed that I am happy with in it...It is about 2 " CC and 1.5 of sand.

My new tank I want to make sure I don't repeat some of the mistakes I have made in the 75. So I wanted input on the DSB and what and where to get the sand I need to make it just right.

I have heard a lot about the sd sand but do not know if there is a close source in Atlanta area for it so hoped someone had a option for getting this tank started right....Any input is greatly appreciated...

Joe Culver

[georgiajams]

The Fish Garden in Newnan has it (if they haven't run out). They are a sponsor member, so flash your card and you can get 10% off. Be sure to wash it several times. I've seen, as a suggestion, to put it in a bucket and turn the hose on full blast for a while. The fine dust particles will spill over the top with the water and the rest will settle at the bottom.

So I'm curious as what it is about your SB are you not happy with?

-Chris

[traip93]

I recently bought 7 bags of southdwn from the fish place in newnan, I drove 45-1hour to get the southdown the first time...I have made the trip a total of three times now..the other two times I have gone is because that fish store is greatness!!!!!! Awesome place, worth the drive for me.......check them out. THe guy I spoke with there said he had some bags left and may get another pallet if the interest was high enough....

[slowburn57]

Actually the 75 has done quite well.But from all I have read I should have had a much finner CC layer or something like southdown instead. As well as the bed being deeper.

I have at least 150 lbs of live rock cramed literally into the tanks as some of it is awaiting my 125 tank. That coupled with my wet dry system I really can't complain......

I was thinking about a bare bottom tank but if given the choice of letting the DSB do the work or me well I will go with the DSB..

Hey do you have the phone number for the place in Newnan so I can call and make sure they still have some and what they are getting for it a bag....

thanks

joe

[wildemon]

I believe the 4" deep sand bed is trying to exclude oxygen in the deepest layer to promote denitrate bacteria. The same process occurs in your live rock deep in the pores. It is also the idea behind SeaChem's Matrix shown at the meeting. There is much discussion on grain size but there is a large percentage of fines on the reef flats. This also gives the highest surface area per volume for bacteria colonization. I have thought about but not tried, building a layer of Matrix or activated carbon under a layer of sand. This would provide lots of porosity but not require as deep a sandbed.

The address and phone number of all our sponsors is on our web page at www.AtlantaReefClub.org