[weez1959]

well maybe I should give them a call next week...

[weez1959]

oops!

[charlie]

Just tell them, What if....................................

[weez1959]

I was thinking of maybe adding a bit more sand and ended up reading about play sand, what's the poop on this stuff, I even saw Ron Shimek recommend it (I think) could have gotten mixed up with someone else, could I use it under my aragamax?

[Reefland]

The playsand that was used so widely was Southdown or Yardright playsand as it was aragonite and not silica based. Some people have used silica playsand but I wouldn't chance it. If you can't find the Southdown or Yardright then eat the cost and get a hobby grade sand.

[weez1959]

Originally Posted by Reefland

If you can't find the Southdown or Yardright then eat the cost and get a hobby grade sand.

It's what I did $120.00 canadian for 90 pounds. I just started reading and looked up DSBs and saw the Southdown and got curious about adding it under the 90 of aragamax.
$10.00 for the same ammount of play sand is quite a difference

[charlie]

I would have to agree with Scott, at least when you buy the Aragamax, you know what you are getting. I like the solid guarantee!!!

[weez1959]

I wasn't really sure I was going to do the dsb but if I do I'll get the good stuff

[charlie]

Originally Posted by weez1959

I wasn't really sure I was going to do the dsb but if I do I'll get the good stuff

If you like the fish and critters that live in the sandbed, that is the way to go weez. Check these little guys out that live in Kevinpo's display tank at his store. Ah yes, faces made for radio.

[Reefland]

The hobby marketed sand is expensive, but I would rather spend the couple of hundred bucks and have the peace of mind.

[weez1959]

I think the big guy at the bottom is saying "HEY, ya want I should whack ya!"
I think my sand sifting goby will be thanking when when he moves to his new home

So what is the difference in a 2" sand bed and a 4"? I read the DSBs are good but I haven't found anything about a shallow sand bed...

[Reefland]

Your not going to get the filtration capacity from a sandbed only 2" deep. One that is 4" deep is going to give you some denitrification benefits.

[charlie]

This is just my opinion mind you, I think you might be able to actually manage a shallower sand bed, as in cleaning and stirring it. With a dsb, you would only want stir the top 1/4 to 1/2 inch. It may be a little more maintenance with the ssb. Somebody please correct me if I am wrong.

[weez1959]

So what you're saying is with 2" I have to rely on my rocks only and with 4" I get the benfit of filtration with both rock and sand, right? It's probably obvious but I'm feeling a little blonde today!

[charlie]

I do believe that is what Scott is saying. Don't worry about the blonde thing, we are all here for learning!!

[Reefland]

That is about it, yes. However that is not to say that the 4" bed is needed as systems are ran very successfully with shallow and no sand beds.

[weez1959]

I didn't get much sleep last night (Lily my older dog is getting a bit looney) so I'm not functioning up to par

[weez1959]

I ordered my anthias yesterday, I figured that would give them a pretty long QT once they arrive.
Also I was told my tank doesn't arrive til next week
And I bought a bit more sand, another 40 pounds which brings me to 3" deep, maybe just one more bag...
sighhhh...... I hate waiting for stuff to arrive

[charlie]

Originally Posted by weez1959

I ordered my anthias yesterday, I figured that would give them a pretty long QT once they arrive.
Also I was told my tank doesn't arrive til next week
And I bought a bit more sand, another 40 pounds which brings me to 3" deep, maybe just one more bag...
sighhhh...... I hate waiting for stuff to arrive

Bad deal about the tank arrival!!!! Which anthias, and how many did you get?


AAAAHHHHH, patience grasshopper.

[weez1959]

4 Bartlett, I've always had a thing for those, they're so pwiddy!