How much sand??

sambrinar · 12-29-2008, 12:40 PM

I got a brand spanking new 75 gal for Christmas, is there a formula to figure out how much sand to put in the tank for a 3-4" bottom??

Measurments are 48"L x 18"W x 21"H. I bought 60lbs of sugar-sized aragamax, aragonite sand for the bottom. Know that is not enough...

So anyone have a formula??

SLF125 · 12-29-2008, 12:47 PM

check saltwaterfish.com Under live sand and rock. Although honestly, you should probaly eithr go with a DSb ( 5+ inchs) or a shallow sand bed 2 or less. Anything in between has the problems of a DSB but none of the benefits.

SLF125 · 12-29-2008, 12:51 PM

140lb for 4" 175lbs for 5" DSB and 70lbs for a SSB

ReefLady · 12-29-2008, 12:53 PM

Try this link: Aquarium Calculator - Unit Conversion Tables

Toward the bottom is a sand bed calculator. For instance, for a 48" x 18" tank, w/a 3" substrate, you'd need 148 lbs.

HTH,

sambrinar · 12-29-2008, 12:56 PM

Thanks guys,, that is alot of sand

Maybe I will just go 2". Is that deep enough for the sand sifting stars, gobies, (not a BSJ) and such??

ReefLady · 12-29-2008, 12:57 PM

(there are a couple calculators out there, and some will give different weights). Do a Google search for "sand bed calculator" - you'll find a few

sambrinar · 12-29-2008, 01:01 PM

oops I added another question to that Teri while you were posting

BigAl07 · 12-29-2008, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sambrinar

Thanks guys,, that is alot of sand

Maybe I will just go 2". Is that deep enough for the sand sifting stars, gobies, (not a BSJ) and such??

That's what my Display Tank averages and I have a ss star that seems to be fine.

ReefLady · 12-29-2008, 01:10 PM

Thanks Al.
Brenda, I never kept sand sifting stars or gobies, so don't consider myself "qualified" to answer. :-) Congrats on the new tank!!

Edit - the only thing I would be concerned with is having enough food to keep for sand-sifting animals. Not sure how others do it -- maybe supplemental feedings?

sambrinar · 12-29-2008, 01:25 PM

Not sure if I want to get a SS star, but I don't want to add sand later

Thanks, less is cheaper too

sambrinar · 12-29-2008, 02:11 PM

Ok one more question. what is the formula to figure out how much flow needed??

I have 2 Koralia 2's GPH 600 and one cheapy PH that does 150 gph so that equals 1350 plus the sump inflow should be about 300 (can you count that?)

1650/75= 22 gal?? Is that right??? Hmm need bigger PH's.. I was only planning on getting a 30 gal, but got a bonus

Dentoid · 12-29-2008, 02:25 PM

NO BLUE SPOT JAWFISH! ~Standing with one hand on hip, tapping foot with a scowl look on my face~

You must have been a good girl! What a great gift!

sambrinar · 12-29-2008, 02:35 PM

LOL Scott... I already had one fish carpet surf, I don't want a $100+ fish surfing too

And of coarse I was a good girl, are you surprised

??? Now what about my flow???

Jeremy0322 · 12-29-2008, 02:41 PM

I will throw a link at you, just because it makes me happy!

Sand Bed Calculator

That is the one i used for my tank, and it worked out pretty well!

sambrinar · 12-29-2008, 03:31 PM

It is interesting how different the calculators are the one Teri gave me said 98lbs for 2 inches the last link said 70lbs for 2 inches. I guess somewhere in between would be good

12-29-2008, 12:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
sambrinar recovering overfeeder Join Date: May 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 6,440 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	How much sand?? I got a brand spanking new 75 gal for Christmas, is there a formula to figure out how much sand to put in the tank for a 3-4" bottom?? Measurments are 48"L x 18"W x 21"H. I bought 60lbs of sugar-sized aragamax, aragonite sand for the bottom. Know that is not enough... So anyone have a formula?? __________________ Brenda Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music ~ George Carlin Original member of http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...eef-holic.html My addiction 75 gal glass http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ce-sanity.html

12-29-2008, 12:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
SLF125 Tubeworm Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 26 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How much sand?? check saltwaterfish.com Under live sand and rock. Although honestly, you should probaly eithr go with a DSb ( 5+ inchs) or a shallow sand bed 2 or less. Anything in between has the problems of a DSB but none of the benefits.

12-29-2008, 12:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
SLF125 Tubeworm Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 26 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How much sand?? 140lb for 4" 175lbs for 5" DSB and 70lbs for a SSB

12-29-2008, 12:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
ReefLady Tridacna maxima Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 4,590 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How much sand?? Try this link: Aquarium Calculator - Unit Conversion Tables Toward the bottom is a sand bed calculator. For instance, for a 48" x 18" tank, w/a 3" substrate, you'd need 148 lbs. HTH, __________________ ~ Teri -------- "You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice." ~(currently tankless)~ Our 180g sps tank / DIY adventure (taken down in late 2006): Our 180g DIY Reef Project ---What's next????

12-29-2008, 12:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
sambrinar recovering overfeeder Join Date: May 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 6,440 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How much sand?? Thanks guys,, that is alot of sand Maybe I will just go 2". Is that deep enough for the sand sifting stars, gobies, (not a BSJ) and such?? __________________ Brenda Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music ~ George Carlin Original member of http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...eef-holic.html My addiction 75 gal glass http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ce-sanity.html

12-29-2008, 12:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
ReefLady Tridacna maxima Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 4,590 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How much sand?? (there are a couple calculators out there, and some will give different weights). Do a Google search for "sand bed calculator" - you'll find a few __________________ ~ Teri -------- "You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice." ~(currently tankless)~ Our 180g sps tank / DIY adventure (taken down in late 2006): Our 180g DIY Reef Project ---What's next????

12-29-2008, 01:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
sambrinar recovering overfeeder Join Date: May 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 6,440 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How much sand?? oops I added another question to that Teri while you were posting __________________ Brenda Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music ~ George Carlin Original member of http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...eef-holic.html My addiction 75 gal glass http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ce-sanity.html

12-29-2008, 01:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
ReefLady Tridacna maxima Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 4,590 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How much sand?? Thanks Al. Brenda, I never kept sand sifting stars or gobies, so don't consider myself "qualified" to answer. :-) Congrats on the new tank!! Edit - the only thing I would be concerned with is having enough food to keep for sand-sifting animals. Not sure how others do it -- maybe supplemental feedings? __________________ ~ Teri -------- "You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice." ~(currently tankless)~ Our 180g sps tank / DIY adventure (taken down in late 2006): Our 180g DIY Reef Project ---What's next????

12-29-2008, 01:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
sambrinar recovering overfeeder Join Date: May 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 6,440 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How much sand?? Not sure if I want to get a SS star, but I don't want to add sand later Thanks, less is cheaper too __________________ Brenda Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music ~ George Carlin Original member of http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...eef-holic.html My addiction 75 gal glass http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ce-sanity.html

12-29-2008, 02:11 PM	#11 (permalink)
sambrinar recovering overfeeder Join Date: May 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 6,440 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How much sand?? Ok one more question. what is the formula to figure out how much flow needed?? I have 2 Koralia 2's GPH 600 and one cheapy PH that does 150 gph so that equals 1350 plus the sump inflow should be about 300 (can you count that?) 1650/75= 22 gal?? Is that right??? Hmm need bigger PH's.. I was only planning on getting a 30 gal, but got a bonus __________________ Brenda Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music ~ George Carlin Original member of http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...eef-holic.html My addiction 75 gal glass http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ce-sanity.html

12-29-2008, 02:35 PM	#13 (permalink)
sambrinar recovering overfeeder Join Date: May 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 6,440 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How much sand?? LOL Scott... I already had one fish carpet surf, I don't want a $100+ fish surfing too And of coarse I was a good girl, are you surprised ??? Now what about my flow??? __________________ Brenda Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music ~ George Carlin Original member of http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...eef-holic.html My addiction 75 gal glass http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ce-sanity.html

12-29-2008, 02:41 PM	#14 (permalink)
Jeremy0322 Tridacna maxima Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 4,769 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How much sand?? I will throw a link at you, just because it makes me happy! Sand Bed Calculator That is the one i used for my tank, and it worked out pretty well! __________________ UNCW 2011 -Marine Biology Major -Oceanography Minor The old 90 Gallon Build r.i.p Only after the last tree's cut And the last river poisoned Only after the last fish is caught Will you find that money cannot be eaten....

12-29-2008, 03:31 PM	#15 (permalink)
sambrinar recovering overfeeder Join Date: May 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 6,440 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How much sand?? It is interesting how different the calculators are the one Teri gave me said 98lbs for 2 inches the last link said 70lbs for 2 inches. I guess somewhere in between would be good __________________ Brenda Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music ~ George Carlin Original member of http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...eef-holic.html My addiction 75 gal glass http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ce-sanity.html

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