Question for Southdown Sand Users

[ReefStar]

Okay,

For you Southdown sand folks out there, if you were to set up a new tank
again, would you use Southdown again? Or would you use something else, such as Caribsea....and if you would not use it again, why? Disregard the price difference. I am more interested in positive and negative effects
recoginized inside the tank.

I am debating whether or not to use it. I had some negative experience with the fine sugar size asd it blew around fairly easy. I am contemplating
either using Southdown again or using Caribsea Seaflor Special Grade, which is not quite the fine grain as southdown, but very close..

Any thoughts?
Thanks!

 

[ReefStar]

Also, does anyone know the correct sku for Southdown sand?

Thanks!

 

[Neo_TA]

I used Southdown, I'm 3 months in and I love it. Allthough this was my first reef tank so I can't say I've experienced any other type of sand. Yet I have no regrets or complaints

 

[lawndoctor]

SD and Carib Sea are the same thing. However, as per the warning on the SD bag, sometimes SD is contaminated because it's packaged with the same machinery used for other products like lime and gypsum. I got a contaminated batch of SD and it created a layer of cement on all my interior tank and filter surfaces which had to be chiseled off. What a mess. I think the only reason people use SD is because it's $5 per bag instead of $15 per bag. Personally I don't understand that choice given the overall cost of setting up and maintaining a reef tank, but that's just me.

 

[danmhippo]

Use anything that your wallet fits. Even regular (non aragonite) sand works.

 

[fishfarmer]

It depends on the type of tank I would set up. If I went with a SPS dominant tank with higher flow I would use a thin layer of coarser sand in the main tank and the finer southdown or equivalent in the sump.
If I had to move my current tank or upgrade without major system changes I would probably go with finer sand.

 

[Texas2Turkey]

Reefstar,

Interesting decision you're making. In my tank I went with both Caribsea Seaflor Special Grade and Southdown. They both have their advantages, I haven't had too much "blowing around" with this combination. Though I can see how with just Southdown it could be moved around more easily if you have substantial flow.

I also think you'll find the particle size difference more noticable with time....that is, if you're looking for it... :wink:

HTH

 

[wittyfellow]

I think SD is great for the price...

Like most, however, I did get some dusty and cloudy water for a while, which was taken care of after six weeks and everything settled down nicely. Fortunately, I didn't have a contamination problem, just a bit of dust, which the mechanical filter and protein skimmer took care of.

As for SKU, there's a long thread discussion here on what the specific SKU with pics posted of what it bags look like... I think if you do a search you should be able to find it.

Good luck.