question about new deep sand bed...

[-madmax-]

hi,

i'm setting up a new tank and have a question about the dsb...

1.) i read this article about dsb
http://www.rshimek.com/reef/sediment.htm
and it says that the average sediment sizes should be 0.125 mm
but where can i buy sand like that in the san francisco bay area ?

i looked @ http://purearagonite.com/ but on there website it says that the sediment sizes is 0.18 to 1.2mm thats way bigger ??

 

[mgk65]

My understanding is that www.purearagonite.com sand is Southdown sand that has been "washed" in some way. I'm sure this washing process removes some of the very fine particles.

After reading about this for a couple of years now, I find that there is not any vendor that offers the sand particle distribution that is recommended by Dr. Shimek.

He feels the ESV sand is very good and uses it himself. Find it at www.esvco.com. His second choice would be Southdown sand. Dr. Rob Toonen also likes the Southdown sand particle distribution.

Finally, the third choice would be the www.purearagonite.com sand, which is washed Southdown.

mgk

 

[fishfarmer]

I have some of the pure agagonite sand, to my eye it looks identical to the southdown sand, minus the few sticks and things found in the southdown stuff.

 

[-madmax-]

hi,

great thank's guys. i emailed both to get the shipping cost to novato,ca 94947... too bad that we can't buy the sand localy :-(

another question is in the article he (Shimek) talks about recharge kits....

"Additionally, there are several vendors offering "detritivore" or "recharge" kits having several different types of animals in them."

any idea where to get them (order them ?)

thanks,
rene

 

[Tremelle]

The easiest way to add life to your dsb is to get a couple of cups from a local reefer or your lfs. Most places will give it to you for free if you are a regular customer.

 

[fishfarmer]

The easiest way to add life to your dsb is to get a couple of cups from a local reefer or your lfs.

That's only good if you have local reefers and good LFS that carry good live sand that isn't large hunks of crushed coral :wink: .

I would try several sources for the biodiversity. I used the LS activator and wondermud from IPSF when I ordered a bunch of snails. I also used two LFS live sand sources, both were fairly coarse substrate. I've seen one online source that carries aquacultured sand of the proper grain size. I think it is called Bill's detritivores www.billsreef.com. It is a east coast source though.

 

[SPC]

Madmax, here is another source:
http://www.inlandaquatics.com/
Steve

 

[-madmax-]

great guys,

thanks to all

 

[D-Nak]

You can buy Pure Aragonite locally at a store called Tropical Paradise in San Leandro. Last I heard, Eddie (the owner) was selling bags for only 20 bucks.

BTW, he had his grand opening this weekend, and although I didn't have time to go, I hear it went well and he is now fully stocked with corals. Be sure to check out his SPS tank with 2 surge systems. He also has a bag lot sale on Mondays.

295 139th Avenue, Suite B
San Leandro
(510) 614-1011


Take 880 to the Washington exit in San Lorenzo, then go east on Washington. Turn left on 139th you'll see the shop on the right.

Make sure you call ahead if you're just going for the Pure Aragonite, as I wouldn't be surpised if he's sold out after the grand opening sale.

I hope this helps!

D-Nak