Torn between sands....

[Kittysnax]

Ok so after a good long time of literally 8-10 hours a day searching around and wish-washing ideas I have finally found what Im going to be doing. Here are my plans so far, and keep in mind I have a VERY modest budget. (>500$)

Tank: Used Oceanic 30G cube (not a AIO)
Filtration: Used HOB Octo skimmer, Live rock, HOB Filter w/chaeto
Aereation: MJ900, and possibly a K1
Lighting: Used Coralife Pro 24" 150HQI w2 55w PC & Moonlights. (Was going to use the PCs as supplimental Actinics)

Now It all comes down to the sand...I *really* want a black sand bed, but after hearing about the "white cat hair on a black shirt" appearance you can get, or silica cutting some fishes gills resulting in death Im kinda worried. I also didnt want a huge grain of sand. I'd kinda like somthing powdery, but I do not really know the advantages to it other than aesthetics. So I guess my question is: what is a good direction to go in for sand? This is somthing I really dont wanna skimp on or regret. I also planned on having about a 1.5" bed. Maybe 2".

What is everyone here using? If you have a pic I'd love to see it and bash some ideas around. Thanks a ton everyone! <3 Kitty

edit: I am also interested in the Caribsea Aragamax Sugar-sized Sand (oolitic)

[Matt in Houston]

Take a look at the caribsea crystal river sand. Its not black, but its awesome. Similar to torpedo beach but with a smaller maximum and average grain size. Its also not cheap but sometimes you get what you pay for. I used it in my 210 and feel I made the right choice.

Good luck!

[Kittysnax]

ill look into that thanks! My 1st choice was black tahitian moon sand. then someone mentioned the drawbacks of black, and i was like ehh.

THEN i saw a tank with play sand (another silica choice i think) they got from lowes for like 5$ a 50# bag and said while it looked good, every sand sifter would crate a dust cloud and it was easy to stick between magfloats, causing scratches on the glass :/

This is harder than it should be LOLOLOL!

[Darbex]

I just have the white sand in the fine ganules I like this for my tank.

[Kittysnax]

yea I think im sold on the crystal river sand now LOL!!!

[Nickintex]

Stay away from play sand. Some have been treated with a fungicide that is lethal to fish. NOT worth the risk.

[tang-chaser]

The only thing i can tell you from experience is, that if your going to have high flow areas in the tank small grain sand might not be that great. I have a mix between small grain and medium grain white live sand in my tank. My power head is rated at 1300 gph, and no matter where i aim it it moves the finer grain sand. Also think about light, when choosing sand. I use compact florescent bulbs, so i went with white sand to reflect some of that light back to the corals.

[i_am_poor]

I have Caribsea Seaflor Special and I like it.

[myjohnson]

I have Caribsea Sugar-sized Sand in my FW tropheus tank.

If you got a good amount of flow that stuff will flow every where. But I still do like it a lot. And a tropheus also kicks up a lot of the sand too.

So I decided to go with the normal size stuff for my nano SW tank.

[fishlady]

kitty, when you come over here tomorrow i have 2 bags of live sand i'll show you....and if you want them we'll make a deal......