Mobile Bay Reef Keepers

I'm a newbie and didn't research enough before I bought crushed coral and now I won't to go with live sand. Is play sand ok? if so what brand and where can I find in the Mobile area? Also will live sand cut down on the amount of Algae?

[quote="Reef Farmer"]I'm a newbie quote]

I should have said hi also! I am a newbie and have a long way to go and a lot to learn. I've had my tank set up since Sept. and so far I've gone very slow (unfortunately)$$$$$$$. I am open to any advise.

55 gal.
Odessay compact 260 wattw/ moon lights (spelling?)
Crushed coral
27# live rock (adding ever so slowly)
2 hang on filters (400 and 330)
Aqua C protein skimmer
No power heads yet


Clown fish
Yellow tang
Brittle starfish
Cleaner shrimp


My biggest problem is probably what should I focus on first. I think I need to change to live sand before I buy more live rock...????
Then maybe power heads and if so how many? I have 2 filters on there trying to increase water flow (for now anyway) should I take one off?



Thanks for the help, The forum is great!

I would switch the sand first, simply for ease of having to move more live rock. as far as how many powerheads, it depends upon the model, what you want to keep in the tank, etc. Going to need to know that first before I can tell you anything else.

About the sand any suggestions on what kind of play sand or the cheapest way to go?

playsand will work, but it has two downfalls. The first, IMO, is most playsands are a brown color instead of a nice white color. If that is not a problem or preference, ok. The second has to do with the shape of the grains. Unlike oolitic aragonite sands (which, like the name suggests, is a rounded, egg shape)which are somewhat gentle and preferable for the live infauna in the sand (or that which will eventually be there) over the coarser, boxlike shape of silica play sands. The main problem with oolitic aragonite is that it is the priciest way to go.

I second Amphiprion. And I will add that silicate based sands will etch your glass very nicely at the top of the sand.

Buy the aragonite based sands. You will not have silicate problems, you don't have to worry about contaminates and it is much better looking.

Personally I won't put anything but live sand in my tank....but that's just my opinion!