Reef tanks using TBS sand

[mjw011689]

@LiverockRocks

Is there an option to order a finer sand than the normal stuff? I’m assuming not or you’d have that option on the site. Something without as much shell in it? Not a deal breaker, just never seen it in person. Does sifting the large stuff out harm it or change it enough to matter?

 

[kingranch2003]

My lighting definitely leans more toward daylight than windex-blue (I sincerely hope that fad ends soon!).

 

[serval]

I used all TBS sand in my mostly LPS tank. I used TBS rock as well and had no uglies aside from diatoms at the beginning. I vacuum it weekly, but only sections at a time. My diamond goby sifts it all day long and the canary wrasse buried in it just fine.

 

[RobertK]

@LiverockRocks

Is there an option to order a finer sand than the normal stuff? I’m assuming not or you’d have that option on the site. Something without as much shell in it? Not a deal breaker, just never seen it in person. Does sifting the large stuff out harm it or change it enough to matter?

They do not offer an option of finer grain sand. I sifted mine to remove the larger chunks, which I put in my sump. I described the technique I used in this thread.

 

[JoJosReef]

I used 90 lbs in my upgrade at the beginning of the year and I love it. As for sand sifters, these two started out just under an inch and are now 2 1/2 inches long.

Is that Tim's twin spot goby? @tbrown

 

[slingfox]

@LiverockRocks

Is there an option to order a finer sand than the normal stuff? I’m assuming not or you’d have that option on the site. Something without as much shell in it? Not a deal breaker, just never seen it in person. Does sifting the large stuff out harm it or change it enough to matter?

I sifted the sand through a 1/4th soil sifter. As noted above description of what I did and pics are in My Tank Thread.

 

[LiverockRocks Verified Sponsor]

@LiverockRocks

Is there an option to order a finer sand than the normal stuff? I’m assuming not or you’d have that option on the site. Something without as much shell in it? Not a deal breaker, just never seen it in person. Does sifting the large stuff out harm it or change it enough to matter?

We've been chatting about offering traditional TBS sand AND finer. Our last couple harvests have been finer sand by the way.

Chunky sand is the superior product in our opinion, but we completely understand hobbyist desire for a fine bed. I'll bring the topic back up and see what we can do.

 

[LiverockRocks Verified Sponsor]

I’m thinking of just buying one or two of their rocks when I get the UNS 180 in a few months to help support the tank. I’m moving everything from my 75 and two of my nanos along with the water, but thought adding a couple of their rocks would help enhance the bio filtration.

Yes, you are right on. Ocean sand and ocean rock have different yet complimentary life; it's the combination that will provide maximum results.

These? https://tbsaltwater.com/products/florida-red-footed-cucumber

I’ve tried the tiger tail variety from TSA twice now and both died soon after introduction. I thought maybe shipping or acclimation stress + new environment. I wondered about the sand being too chunky too. Is that a thing for them?

Maybe my sand wasn’t causing my high phosphate but I started vacuuming the sand and blowing off the rocks and it finally came down. At the risk of hijacking the OP’s question….. topic for another thread I suppose! :)

Sand care suggestions -

• Stir sand with an acrylic pointer rod each time you do a water change.
• Vacuum once a month.
• Add a variety of hermits, a sea star, gobies, ceriths, cucumber, etc. to move sand around naturally.

(Red foot cucumbers are rock dwellers and care less about sand.)

 

[kevgib67]

Is that Tim's twin spot goby? @tbrown

Shhhhhhh, I grabbed both of his!