Best Sand in an SPS Dominated Reef

[Acro Junky]

I’m setting up a Red Sea Reefer 170 as an SPS-only reef, primarily focused on Acroporas—so strong, consistent flow is essential. I’ll be running two MP10s to ensure high flow throughout the tank.

With that in mind, what sand would you recommend that offers a natural look but doesn’t appear too coarse or chunky, like small rocks scattered across the sand bed?

 

[Fish Fan]

Bare bottom :)

 

[Acro Junky]

Bare bottom :)

I’ve done bare bottom, really want the sand look.

 

[Fish Fan]

I’ve done bare bottom, really want the sand look.

I get it, I do. I'm sure someone will have a solid recommendation.

 

[sjfishguy]

No sand. I don’t like the bare bottom look either, but over time you have no choice to have acros. I have tried over and over and the sand just gets funky. I am going BB next time I upgrade

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

Special grade is really the only option short of small stones I think. That said, I wonder if someone's ever made a "sand insert"? Maybe sand and a clear resin of some kind? Gives you a natural sandbed that stays in place? Probably wouldn't work i suppose, would just look gross after a few months but 100% just thinking out loud.

 

[Sdbuehler1]

I use the CaribSea special grade in all of my tanks. It’s large enough that it doesn’t blow around too much but still small enough that wrasses and gobies can burrow in it.

CaribSea Special Grade Arag-Alive

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

sand.

Nothing fine or you will have issues with flow.

 

[Fish Fan]

I would honestly check out the live maricultured sand from Tampa Bay Saltwater. It's awesome stuff, and it's mostly larger pieces that shouldn't blow around, but it still looks great.
https://tbsaltwater.com/collections/ultra-live-sand
Or, I've had good luck painting the underside of the bottom glass panel with Rustolium textured spray paint. I've done this a lot on freshwater breeder tanks. If you look quickly, you'd swear it's sand, but you'd have the benefit of bare bottom. They even have a color called Caribbean Sand:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Ol...-Sand-Protective-Spray-Paint-239121/100674049

 

[Sdbuehler1]

I would honestly check out the live maricultured sand from Tampa Bay Saltwater. It's awesome stuff, and it's mostly larger pieces that shouldn't blow around, but it still looks great.
https://tbsaltwater.com/collections/ultra-live-sand
Or, I I had good luck painting the underside of the bottom glass panel with Rustolium textured spray paint. I've done this a lot on freshwater breeder tanks. If you look quickly, you'd swear it's sand, but you'd have the benefit of bare bottom. They even have a color called Caribbean Sand:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Ol...-Sand-Protective-Spray-Paint-239121/100674049

TBS live sand is great, I have mixed that with the CaribSea special grade in my 180 gallon.

 

[Fish Fan]

TBS live sand is great, I have mixed that with the CaribSea special grade in my 180 gallon.

Agreed, great stuff!

 

[Marco_99]

Special grade for the w

 

[billyocean]

It still gets blown around some but it is what it is.

 

[JonoH]

Caribsea special grade

 

[Acro Junky]

Special grade for the w

This is what I was thinking, that’s a bummer it still blows around but I guess you can slowly remove it as you need more flow

 

[Science/G]

I used a beige acrylic sheet. Max flow down low.

 

[exnisstech]

Special grade for the w

This is what I have in my IM 20 (12x24" Display) with 2 MP10s and its staying put. They are only running at 35% RC but no sand at all is moving.
My acro tank is bare bottom.

 

[skey44]

Special grade is great and what I’m running due to availability. Tropic Eden also makes a nice sand called reef flakes that’s a nice Goldilocks option.

 

[jonelder68]

I used special grade and it blew into piles. Tanks a 60 breeder so shallow doesn’t help. For spots it moved I just put Florida aragonite. Worked out great and almost looks more natural blended the way it is.

 

[Bartanto]

Special Grade works just fine for me. I’ve got a 5’ tank with two reefwave 45’s running 85%, two Nero 3’s running 30-50% along back wall on the sand and 800gph from the returns. Acros growing great, sand is only moved by Diamond Dave, the inconsolable diamond goby (that I didn’t order but showed up on my doorstep).