Sand Bed question

[skozzy]

Is the sand used in a deep sand bed like that on the beach (light in
colour)?, Or are we talking about something more like what you see near a
river or creak (dark in colour)?

Can the live sand be obtained simply by going to the beach or is it only
close to reefs ?

And, can you mix crushed coral and sand, or should it be kept separate ?

[CapFusion]

It can be brown / tan / gray / white etc... If you know what your beach
contain like heavy metal, pesticide or other bad stuff then I would not
suggest it. Better be safe buying from a reputable source. Try getting a
sugar size sand.

CapFusion,...


"skozzy" > wrote in message
...
> Is the sand used in a deep sand bed like that on the beach (light in
> colour)?, Or are we talking about something more like what you see near a
> river or creak (dark in colour)?
>
> Can the live sand be obtained simply by going to the beach or is it only
> close to reefs ?
>
> And, can you mix crushed coral and sand, or should it be kept separate ?
>
>
>

[John Lange]

Beach sand is probably a better match, but it will more than likely contain
all kinds of chemical pollution and unsavory creatures that may be
undesirable in your tank. Better be safe and find CLEAN sand from your LFS

JOhn :-)


"skozzy" > wrote in message
...
> Is the sand used in a deep sand bed like that on the beach (light in
> colour)?, Or are we talking about something more like what you see near a
> river or creak (dark in colour)?
>
> Can the live sand be obtained simply by going to the beach or is it only
> close to reefs ?
>
> And, can you mix crushed coral and sand, or should it be kept separate ?
>
>
>

[Time2359]

You might like to check this article out if you haven't already.

http://www.rshimek.com/reef/sediment.htm


"skozzy" > wrote in message
...
> Is the sand used in a deep sand bed like that on the beach (light in
> colour)?, Or are we talking about something more like what you see near a
> river or creak (dark in colour)?
>
> Can the live sand be obtained simply by going to the beach or is it only
> close to reefs ?
>
> And, can you mix crushed coral and sand, or should it be kept separate ?
>
>
>


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[skozzy]

Thanks guys, all this reading was good.

"skozzy" > wrote in message
...
> Is the sand used in a deep sand bed like that on the beach (light in
> colour)?, Or are we talking about something more like what you see near a
> river or creak (dark in colour)?
>
> Can the live sand be obtained simply by going to the beach or is it only
> close to reefs ?
>
> And, can you mix crushed coral and sand, or should it be kept separate ?
>
>
>

[Time2359]

So, let us know what you decide to do. :)

[skozzy]

Well it early stages yet, but I am looking into the cost of some sand and
will work out also the cost of a batch of live sand to top it off. Another
artical I was reading about making rock from sand and some sort of concret
mixed with rock salt looks interesting too. Currently I have a 2-3 inch bed
of crushed coral, and will look into toping it off with 2-3 inchs of sand.


"Time2359" ILSHELL.COM>
wrote in message ...
> So, let us know what you decide to do. :)
>
>

[Rod]

>Currently I have a 2-3 inch bed
>of crushed coral, and will look into toping it off with 2-3 inchs of sand.
>

The fine sand will sift its way through the crushed coral and end up on the
bottom. Then, since the crushed corals is on top, and some of the sand bed
critters do not tolerate crushed coral very well, your sand bed will not
function properly. Then you will be part of that crowd that say that DSB are
time bombs er what ever they are now saying.. DSBs are great if set up properly
Rod Buehler
www.asplashoflife.com

[skozzy]

Umm, well if I can get enought for a 4-6 inch base in the tank I might move
the crushed coral into the sump. What do you recon of that idea ?


"Rod" > wrote in message
...
> >Currently I have a 2-3 inch bed
> >of crushed coral, and will look into toping it off with 2-3 inchs of
sand.
> >
>
> The fine sand will sift its way through the crushed coral and end up on
the
> bottom. Then, since the crushed corals is on top, and some of the sand bed
> critters do not tolerate crushed coral very well, your sand bed will not
> function properly. Then you will be part of that crowd that say that DSB
are
> time bombs er what ever they are now saying.. DSBs are great if set up
properly
> Rod Buehler
> www.asplashoflife.com

[Rod]

>I might move
>the crushed coral into the sump. What do you recon of that idea ?
>

Crushed coral does not become anaerobic like fine sand does, so the
denitrifying bacteras are not there. Crushed coral is a detritus trap, and
should likely be siphoned now and then to remove detritus, and siphoning from
the sump can be dificult unless the sump is elevated.. IMHO its not a good
idea... What benifets do you hope to gain from putting the crushed coral in the
sump?
Rod Buehler
www.asplashoflife.com

[skozzy]

Seems there is mixed opinion about the crushed coral becomming anaerobic,
that was one and the other is, I was told it helps to buffer the water in
some ways, don't ask me how or why, I am still new at all this, but going by
the lfs advice here.


"Rod" > wrote in message
...
> >I might move
> >the crushed coral into the sump. What do you recon of that idea ?
> >
>
> Crushed coral does not become anaerobic like fine sand does, so the
> denitrifying bacteras are not there. Crushed coral is a detritus trap, and
> should likely be siphoned now and then to remove detritus, and siphoning
from
> the sump can be dificult unless the sump is elevated.. IMHO its not a good
> idea... What benifets do you hope to gain from putting the crushed coral
in the
> sump?
> Rod Buehler
> www.asplashoflife.com

[Richard Reynolds]

> Seems there is mixed opinion about the crushed coral becomming anaerobic,
> that was one and the other is,

its not really a mixed opinion it doesnt work well enough to do anything good.

> I was told it helps to buffer the water in
> some ways, don't ask me how or why,

you wont get much out of the buffering abilities of CC IF you need more buffering then you
need to add it.

> I am still new at all this, but going by
> the lfs advice here.

sounds like time for a new LFS

or at least a few searches at groups.google.com
--
Richard Reynolds