Whitest Live Sand

[mbruni]

I just got a RSM 130d (my 1st salt water tank and I wanted to get the whitest possible aragonite live sand. I only need about 30lb of it and cost is no issue. Can anyone give me some links to where I can buy some, Id really appreciate it. Thanks

[ibanez2k]

My absolute favorite is "Caribsea Ocean Direct Original". I've bought it from Marine Depot and love it. It looks very natural too and varries in texture from very small grains to larger grains, even small pieces of crushed coral and shells. Very visually appealing IMO.

[mbruni]

Thx ill look that up right now. And how about Oolite sand is that a good type of substrate for a reef aquarium or should I just stick to Aragonite?

[ibanez2k]

Oolitic sand is good. Some don't like it because it is very easy to disturb being such small grains and so light. It looks nice however. Really just depends on your preferance I think. If you like the look of smoother sand than that would be the right kind for you I would say. You could have alot more flow in your tank with a heavier sand though and wouldn't have to worry about too much of a sandstorm.

[motorslave]

Don't pay for "live", it's a waste of money. Just get it dry and let the "live" in your rock seed the sand, or a cup from an established system. Paying the difference in "live" is not worth it. JMO

[Fat Tony]

Originally Posted by motorslave

Don't pay for "live", it's a waste of money. Just get it dry and let the "live" in your rock seed the sand, or a cup from an established system. Paying the difference in "live" is not worth it. JMO

Agreed... The Oolitic Sand is what I use. But with a tank that has decent flow it does dune easily

[rmcninch108]

I'm thinking about getting the 130d also . How do you like yours?

[Elegance Coral]

Pic's of Carib Sea aragonite




It doesn't look all that white in the bag, but it appears very white in the tank. I'm not sure why. The grain size is perfect for me. It doesn't blow around the tank and it's easy to vacuum. It's easy to keep clean so detritus doesn't build up discoloring the sand. It stays white for a very very long time.

[fihsboy]

I use oolite. Its probably my favorite, only problem is.......it blows around. I have a MP40 and if I put it up with some speed, it will shift the sand slowly. It just takes some maintence, as does everything in a reef tank. haha. EC is that pic with the carpet nem and clown the one where he got ate?

[Elegance Coral]

Originally Posted by fihsboy

I use oolite. Its probably my favorite, only problem is.......it blows around. I have a MP40 and if I put it up with some speed, it will shift the sand slowly. It just takes some maintence, as does everything in a reef tank. haha. EC is that pic with the carpet nem and clown the one where he got ate?

No. That's a saddle back clown that's almost 6" long hiding inside the mouth of the carpet. She was unharmed. Any time she got scared she would dive into the mouth, turn around inside, and stick her head back out like that.

[fihsboy]

Thats AWESOME. That would be like me hiding inside of a trash incenerator with a fireproof suit on. Very very cool.

[mbruni]

Thanks guys for all the info, I'm going to go with the Caribsea aragonite.
Also to the question about the 130d.
I think its a great tank. This is going to be my 1st saltwater tank so I wanted something easy and small. The tank looks amazing. I'm currently cycling live rock in it. Its quiet as long as the fan isn't on (its cold where I live most of the time, so I don't need it)
I plan on attaching a canister filter to it to help with the filtration. I am probably going to get the eheim wet/dry canister filter since Its the best I can do (cant really fit a sump properly.)
It is a little pricey but includes everything you need and I think it will work out great.

[Elegance Coral]

Originally Posted by fihsboy

Thats AWESOME. That would be like me hiding inside of a trash incenerator with a fireproof suit on. Very very cool.

Ya, pretty much.

[Jnicho]

Good choice IMO...now the trick is to keep it white, LOL!

[Elegance Coral]

Originally Posted by mbruni

Thanks guys for all the info, I'm going to go with the Caribsea aragonite.
Also to the question about the 130d.
I think its a great tank. This is going to be my 1st saltwater tank so I wanted something easy and small. The tank looks amazing. I'm currently cycling live rock in it. Its quiet as long as the fan isn't on (its cold where I live most of the time, so I don't need it)
I plan on attaching a canister filter to it to help with the filtration. I am probably going to get the eheim wet/dry canister filter since Its the best I can do (cant really fit a sump properly.)
It is a little pricey but includes everything you need and I think it will work out great.

FWIW, I wouldn't spend a bunch of money on a canister filter. They're hard to work with and tend to become nitrate factories.