Sand size for various substrate critters

[yanni]

Hey all!
I’m currently about to redo my tank, and was given a bag of sand for free of 2-4mm crushed coral and sand mix. It’s all cleaned, never been used, and since it’s free I wanna use it. But I plan on keep snails that love substrate, as well as other critters, like nassarius/zombie snails, conch snails, maybe an urchin or sand sifting star, as well as some rock flower anemones.

is this sand size too coarse for them? Or should I opt for something smaller and finer? Pic attached for general reference

 

[pshootr]

I think that will be just fine. Just my humble opinion we'll see what everyone else thinks.

 

[pshootr]

I would think that 2 mm would be preferable however up to 4 mm should be okay I think. Some people speculate detritus is more of an issue with larger sand granules. But regarding the animals you want to keep you need to rely on more experience people than I.

 

[yanni]

I think that will be just fine. Just my humble opinion we'll see what everyone else thinks.

Yeah hoping to get a few replies so I can get a good feel for what’s best, want to make sure I care for everything adequately

 

[yanni]

I would think that 2 mm would be preferable however up to 4 mm should be okay I think. Some people speculate detritus is more of an issue with larger sand granules. But regarding the animals you want to keep you need to rely on more experience people than I.

The detritus build up is a worry, but with that size I should be able to siphon, and will only be an 1.5 inch deep sandbed anyways

 

[pshootr]

Having said that, many people had success in the past

The detritus build up is a worry, but with that size I should be able to siphon, and will only be an 1.5 inch deep sandbed anyways

I'm not really sure how much of a worry it really is. This is just based off of information I have read. I think it really depends on the creatures you intend to keep. And depth of the sand bed I know you illustrated that already. And how willing you are to clean it.

 

[pshootr]

Having said that, many people had success in the past

I'm not really sure how much of a worry it really is. This is just based off of information I have read. I think it really depends on the creatures you intend to keep. And depth of the sand bed I know you illustrated that already. And how willing you are to clean it.

It could also depend on the flow of the tank you desire depending on the types of corals you want to keep. The finer the sand is the more it gets stirred up so if you want LPS then this might be a problem. That's why I usually a medium grain sand is recommended

 

[yanni]

Having said that, many people had success in the past

I'm not really sure how much of a worry it really is. This is just based off of information I have read. I think it really depends on the creatures you intend to keep. And depth of the sand bed I know you illustrated that already. And how willing you are to clean it.

I quite like the idea of manual siphoning and cleaning, helps me feel more “involved” with the tank, manual management never bothers me, I just try lessen it where it’s unnecessary. I just want to make sure the snails can comfortably burrow

 

[yanni]

It could also depend on the flow of the tank you desire depending on the types of corals you want to keep. The finer the sand is the more it gets stirred up so if you want LPS then this might be a problem. That's why I usually a medium grain sand is recommended

It’s going to be mainly a mix of softies and some LPS, with a focus on ricordea gardens and rock flower nem gardens

 

[pshootr]

I should note that when I say LPS corals I'm talking about ones that are placed on the sand bed

 

[pshootr]

It’s going to be mainly a mix of softies and some LPS, with a focus on ricordea gardens and rock flower nem gardens

If you are focused on soft corals and LPS and they're not resting on the sand bed then a finer sand is not a large issue. But when we talk about placing corals on the bottom of the tank in the sand bed that's when find sand becomes a problem or high-flow tanks

 

[yanni]

I should note that when I say LPS corals I'm talking about ones that are placed on the sand bed

oooh fair. It’ll be maybe a Trachy or two, perhaps a scoly if I have the room

If you are focused on soft corals and LPS and they're not resting on the sand bed then a finer sand is not a large issue. But when we talk about placing corals on the bottom of the tank in the sand bed that's when find sand becomes a problem or high-flow tanks

yeah only a few will be on the sand bed, like the rics for their lighting requirements. The rfas will wander wherever tbf

 

[pshootr]

So generally an SPS tank requires high flow and you would definitely not want fine sand. If you had a low flow tank for softies you might get away with it as long as you keep your curls on the rocks but keep in mind that sand will be moved around

 

[pshootr]

I would say it is generally a best idea to avoid fine sand and to go with a medium

 

[pshootr]

For example I'm considering using sand from my local beaches just to starta tank. But considerations are at one beach has very fine sand. And another beach has crushed shell type sands. I'm tempted to go with the crushed shell type sand because it's more versatile I believe

 

[pshootr]

The beach I live next to has very fine sand sugar Sand and that's why I'm opimg for the other

 

[yanni]

For example I'm considering using sand from my local beaches just to starta tank. But considerations are at one beach has very fine sand. And another beach has crushed shell type sands. I'm tempted to go with the crushed shell type sand because it's more versatile I believe

Yeah all good points tbf. So I’m thinking 2-4mm should be good then, will allow good flow, looks nice, and hopefully the snails can burrow well

 

[yanni]

The beach I live next to has very fine sand sugar Sand and that's why I'm opimg for the other

Yeah would hate to throw up a snow storm in the tank of sand ahha

 

[pshootr]

Yeah all good points tbf. So I’m thinking 2-4mm should be good then, will allow good flow, looks nice, and hopefully the snails can burrow well

Personally I think you'll be okay.

 

[pshootr]

I think your snails will do okay. Of course various nails might have different needs so you'll have to get to the nitty gritty on that