Sand On Sand question! LOOK!

revhtree · Mar 31, 2008

Ok my sand is a little to fine and causes some blowing and drifts with the tunze going. I was thinking of adding a little bigger sized grain sand over the top of what I have. Will the new thicker stuff stay on the top? I am thinking yes...

Russellaqua · Mar 31, 2008

Speaking from a geological standpoint (I have an M.S. in geology) there is no reason the coarser sand would move. However, if you have any burrowing animals they will likely mix your sand bed to the point where the problem returns. Vibrations in the tank will actually help keep the coarser sand on top contrary to common belief. The finer grained material falls between the spaces between the coarser sand, leaving coarse material on top.

J. Montgomery · Mar 31, 2008

I have a mixture of Fiji Pink sand and larger 2-4mm sand particles in my tank. I hate the 2-4mm stuff with a passion. It grows coralline and other algae and makes the sand look dirty.

I have a sand that one size up from the Fiji Pink (I can't remember the name right now) in my refugium. Its good.

gastone · Mar 31, 2008

Rev,

I've had DSB made from Southdown for a number of years. I upgraded my flow and have since been blowing sand around my tank, which I didn't like too much. I decided I wanted to use this. I ended up just placing it over my existing sand bed a little bit at a time over the course of around 2 weeks. In hindsight I wish I would have removed the old sand bed first as I have been having algae issues since the switch. That being said, the new substrate looks great, and as Russell stated, the larger material stays up top... hence no more "sand storms".

Garrett.

gflat65 · Mar 31, 2008

I did just that in all of the displays when I set them back up after the move. Sugar sized with a light layer of coarse crushed coral. When it does mix, it looks somewhat natural. In the tiny acan tank, I had to have the top layer to keep the sand on the bottom.