Best Sand of 2023
Best Selling Sand of 2023
Caribsea Special Grade Reef Sand
Hands down the best-selling sand on our website is the Caribsea Special Grade Sand. It is available in both a dry and live sand version and creates the perfect substrate for a saltwater reef aquarium. The individual grain size is small enough to create that tropical white sand aesthetic while not being so small that it constantly shifts and blows about the tank.
Best Live Sand for Cycling and Biome Diversity
Caribsea Ocean Direct Live Sand
Ocean Direct is a unique live sand that is naturally collected and bagged without any sifting or sterilization with the goal of capturing that natural ocean biome. Throughout our BRStv Investigates Biome Series, we were able to identify increased diversity and various beneficial microbes in the Ocean Direct sand that ultimately helped to establish a more stable ecosystem when setting up a new aquarium.
Best for Sand Sifting Fish and Invertebrates
Oolite is a fine-grain sand that is the ideal size for sand-sifting fish and invertebrates. It is one of the best-looking sands to use inside a saltwater aquarium but the small size can be troublesome in areas of high flow as the sand is easily moved around.
Best Sand for High-Flow Tanks
Caribsea Special Grade Reef Sand or larger grain size
For higher flow situations, a medium to large grain size is the best choice. Special Grade sand contains a mixture of particles ranging in size from 1-2mm which is the absolute smallest size you would want to use in high-flow SPS aquariums.
Best Trick to Keep Sand in Place
Foundation Rock under the sandbed
A clever trick to help prevent bare spots in the sand bed is to create "sand dunes" using foundation rock. Place the foundation rock, flat side down, directly on the bottom panel of your aquarium, and then cover it with sand only leaving the tips of the rock exposed.
Best Sand for Mixing
Caribsea Special Grade Reef Sand plus Crushed Coral
Mixing sand is another approach that can help add a more natural look and feel to your reef aquarium and prevent those pesky bald spots from forming in areas of higher flow.
Best Sand to Create Contrast
Hawaiian black is volcanic-based sand that will create a very unique appearance and a great contrast with brilliantly colored corals. The downside is this volcanic sand also contains magnetic minerals that can easily attach to your magnetic algae cleaner which will then leave scratches in your aquarium glass.
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