Pink Sand?

[bobcat9922]

Hi my name is Patty, I am starting up my 2nd saltwater fish tank. I was in a store and saw this pink sand in a bag in the same section that the live sand was in. It is for saltwater tanks and I was just wondering if any one has used this kind of sand and also if you have, does it stay that color and does it give off a different color to the tank? Thanks alot, Patty

[Ninong]

Is this what you were looking at? (Click on Fiji Pink Reef Sand.)

[art_of_war]

pink sand?

[Ninong]

Some sand (e.g., the beaches in Bermuda) has a pink cast to it because of the skeletal remains of red foraminiferans (Homotrema rubrum).

[bobcat9922]

Thanks for getting back to me, I went back to the store and this is all that was on the bag. Natures Ocean Premium Marine Substrates, Samoa Pink Sand. It didn't have a expiration date like the other bags, its not aragonite or is it live sand. Does all that matter about the sand I'm putting in my tank? I just love the pink color but I don't want to spoil my water for my fish or corals.

[Ninong]

I went back to the store and this is all that was on the bag. Natures Ocean Premium Marine Substrates, Samoa Pink Sand. It didn't have a expiration date like the other bags, its not aragonite or is it live sand.

Yes, it is aragonite.

According to the manufacturer's website, they offer two different products that they call "Samoa Pink Sand," the difference being particle size. Their Samoa Pink Sand #0 is said to have a particle size range of 0.5-1.5mm and their Samoa Pink Sand #1 is said to have a particle size range from 1.2-1.7mm. They also offer two products called Samoa Pink Gravel with larger particle sizes.

Which particle size is "best" depends on your approach to reef tank sediments, your personal preferences, what sort of animals you wish to keep, what sort of water circulation you hope to achieve, and a host of other variables too numerous to list in a brief response.

It's difficult for someone else to suggest which is best for you without knowing the answers to a whole slew of questions, starting with the proposed depth of the substrate in your tank and whether you will be keeping any sand-sifting gobies, etc.

Personally, if I were forced to choose between their two Samoa Pink Sand products, I would probably go with #0 for most applications but I would also want to include at least 50% of their Marine White Sand #0 with a particle size ranging from 0.1-0.5mm. It's the particle sizes that are important here, not the color. You could achieve a nice blend by thoroughly mixing half Samoa Pink Sand #0 with half Marine White Sand #0. If you like, you could save some of the Samoa Pink Sand #0 to spread on top as a sort of thin "color" layer (~1/4").

Does all that matter about the sand I'm putting in my tank? I just love the pink color but I don't want to spoil my water for my fish or corals.

Yes, the sand matters a lot. However, you don't realize that yet because you're just getting started. Many new hobbyists choose a substrate that they later come to regret, especially if they choose one of the "gravel" type substrates, also known as "crushed coral."

If you like the Samoa Pink Sand, then I think it would be a great choice for you. It certainly won't hurt anything and the "color" won't come off in the tank. It really doesn't matter if the sand is so-called "live" or not. What they call "live" sand is not what we call live sand. What the various manufacturers are peddling as "live" sand is nothing more than sand with bacteria -- the same bacteria that will populate your sand bed within a very short time whether you paid extra for them or did absolutely nothing to acquire them. Their so-called live sand will speed up the cycling process a little bit but you really don't need it. It's perfectly fine if you want to buy it but you can buy the dry stuff and do just as well.

What size is your tank? How deep do you want to make the sand bed?

[crasico]

Yes, the sand matters a lot. However, you don't realize that yet because you're just getting started. Many new hobbyists choose a substrate that they later come to regret, especially if they choose one of the "gravel" type substrates, also known as "crushed coral."

Ninong, what is the problem with crushed coral?

[Ninong]

Ninong, what is the problem with crushed coral?

Crushed coral has a tendency to trap detritus.

[bobcat9922]

Hi, thanks for all the great info that helps alot. I am setting up a 90 gal and i think that i want the sand bed about 2 inches. Hows that? I used crushed coral and some sand in my other tank and regreted the crushed coral so thats why i'm only doing sand this tank. And i plan on getting a diamond golby.

[Ninong]

A 2-inch sandbed is one way to go. I think it would be better to go with at least 3" but that's one of those personal preference issues.

[crasico]

Hmm, thank you Ninong! I think before I get to much farther in my tank I will change it out with sand then!

Charles