Substrate calculation?

[5ft24]

I am in the process of getting the last few items I need to start my 75 gallon reef tank...
While looking at substrates, I want to go with a shallow bed, but am trying to estimate how many pounds of Aragonite I will need. Surface area of the bottom of the tank is 864 Sq. in, or 6 Sq feet...
Also, is sugar sized aragonite the proper substrate to get, or should I be looking at a coarser sand?
Thanks :alberteinstein:

 

[JOSE CASAS]

You will need some thing coarser for sure, I like special reef grade from Caribean sea. How deep is shallow 1'', 1.5'' ect?

 

[5ft24]

depth is about 1.5"

 

[JOSE CASAS]

What are the dim on the tank?

 

[fran]

just go over that with some finner sand to make it a deeper sandbed some have said 3 inches is good but I keep mine about 2-2.5

 

[fran]

shallow sometimes isnt the best way to do it depending on what you are going to have in it

 

[5ft24]

48" x 18" x 21" deep... 75 Gallon

 

[5ft24]

shallow sometimes isnt the best way to do it depending on what you are going to have in it

I guess maybe I should list what equipment I am starting with to determine what I CAN keep LOL...

75G tank
Eshoppes RS-100 20 gallon sump
Sedra KSP-5000 return pump
ASM G1 skimmer
Coralife PC retrofit, 2x65W actinic, 2x65W 10,000K
300W heater
2 powerheads, not sure the size yet... (Eventually moving to 4... have the JBJ quad "wavemaker"
I am also going to be using a Marineland 350 Magnum cannister filter (no filter media) as a circ pump that can be used when I get a chiller etc...
I am also looking at the Tropic Marin Pro reef Bio-Actif salt mix... Seeing pretty good reviews considering the price is higher than other salt mixes...

I know I would like to keep some corals, a pair of clowns, an anemone or 2 for them,and then I am open to suggestions...

Thanks:aqua:

 

[irdm350]

It will be pretty easy to estimate the volume of sand that you need (in cubic inches) but it will be difficult to estimate how much you need on a mass basis (in lbs) because you need a density (lbs/in^3) and the density will be very much dependent upon the grain size distribution of the particular sand that you choose.

If you want a sand bed 1.5" deep, you need about 1300 in^3 of sand or 5.6 gallons worth. Take a 5 gallon bucket to the store and put the bags of sand in it to help you estimate. Double that for a 3" sand bed.

Hope that helps!

 

[Pure Magic79]

Here is the GARF substrate calculator:
http://www.garf.org/calculators/SandBedCalculator.asp

Good luck with your reef.

 

[5ft24]

Ok. Nearing the "fluid input" part of the project LOL...
For substrate, an LFS has the carbsea LIVE fiji pink aragonite for 19.99/20lb bag, and the original Carib Sea ocean direct Live (mixed chunks down to sand sized) for the same price as well...
Pro's, cons, opinions?
Thanks

 

[DETANE]

If I was you I would just go on craigslist and find somebody who is breaking down their tank. You may be able to get all the LiveSand you needs for about $10- $20.

 

[5ft24]

If I was you I would just go on craigslist and find somebody who is breaking down their tank. You may be able to get all the LiveSand you needs for about $10- $20.

good idea!
I was looking retail when everything else I have came from Craigslist! LOL.
seems like a BUNCH of people are dumping their tanks lately...