Why does BRS recommend this?
If we had to choose a single type of sand for any tank, it would be the Arag-Alive Fiji Pink sand. It is by far the most popular sand for its medium to large grain size, high amount of total available surface area, as well as just its overall beauty.
Caribsea's Arag-Alive! Live Reef Sand is a great choice for new aquarists and new reef tank setups. Arag-Alive sands clear quickly and contain millions of live bacteria, speeding up your tanks cycle and leading to less nuisance algae.
Features
- Contains live bacteria to assist with a faster cycle
- Grain size: 0.5-1.5mm
- Most popular size for reef sand
- High Surface Area for Bacteria
Selecting the right sand: When choosing the right sand for your tank, it is important to keep a few things in mind.
How much flow will be in the tank?
Aquariums with high amounts of water movement will require sand with a larger grain size. Smaller particles can be blown around easily.
What kind of inhabitants will you be keeping?
Many species do require particular types of sand, like gobies, jawfish, and wrasses. Fish and invertebrates that like to burrow or sift through the sand will do best with smaller particle sizes.
Will it be for a refugium or deep sandbed?
Sand that will be used for filtration or refugium, we suggest using smaller particles that will give bacteria more surface area to grow and thrive on.
How much sand do I need?
BRS suggests 1 pound of Fiji Pink sand per 2 gallons of display tank volume on average.
Below is a table of common tank sizes and how many pounds of Fiji Pink sand is required to achieve a certain depth. Results may vary depending on the aquascaping in your tank, overflow styles, and the specific tank manufacturer. We always recommend getting a little extra sand to make sure you have enough on hand when you are filling your tank.
| Common Tank Sizes | Dimension | 1" Depth | 2" Depth | 3" Depth |
| 10 Gallon | 20x10x12 | 10.4 lbs | 20.8 lbs | 31.3 lbs |
| 20 Gallon | 24x12x16 | 15.0 lbs | 30.0 lbs | 45.0 lbs |
| 29 Gallon | 30x12x18 | 18.8 lbs | 37.5 lbs | 56.3 lbs |
| 30 Gallon | 36x13x16 | 24.4 lbs | 48.8 lbs | 73.1 lbs |
| 40 Gallon | 36x18x16 | 33.8 lbs | 67.5 lbs | 101.3 lbs |
| 55 Gallon | 48x13x20 | 31.8 lbs | 63.6 lbs | 95.5 lbs |
| 75 Gallon | 48x18x21 | 44.1 lbs | 88.1 lbs | 132.2 lbs |
| 90 Gallon | 48x18x24 | 44.1 lbs | 88.1 lbs | 132.2 lbs |
| 120 Gallon | 48x24x24 | 58.8 lbs | 117.5 lbs | 176.3 lbs |
| 180 Gallon | 72x24x24 | 90.0 lbs | 180.0 lbs | 270.0 lbs |
| 220 Gallon | 72x24x30 | 90.0 lbs | 180.0 lbs | 270.0 lbs |
| 300 Gallon | 72x36x27 | 135.0 lbs | 270.0 lbs | 405.0 lbs |
| Sand Type | Grain Sizes (mm) | Average Density |
| Fiji Pink | 0.5 - 1.5 | 90lbs per cubic foot |
| Special Grade | 1.0 - 2.0 | 85lbs per cubic foot |
| Bahamas Oolite | 0.25 - 1.0 | 96lbs per cubic foot |
| Indo-Pacific Black | 0.25 - 5.0 | 90lbs per cubic foot |
| West Caribbean Reef | 1.0 - 5.0 | 90lbs per cubic foot |
| Hawaiian Black | 0.25 - 3.5 | 80lbs per cubic foot |
| Bimini Pink | 0.5 - 5.0 | 90lbs per cubic foot |
| Natural Reef | 3.0 - 5.5 | 85lbs per cubic foot |
| Florida Crushed Coral | 3.0 - 5.5 | 72lbs per cubic foot |
| SKU | Fiji Pink Arag-Alive! Live Reef Sand |
|---|
Write Your Own Review
Product Questions
Do you think this grain size sould be ideal for sandsifters like gobys
Question by: Spencer on Dec 23, 2016, 8:44 PM
Great question! This sand is perfect for those sand sifting creatures! :-)
Answer by: Randy on Dec 30, 2016, 9:56 AM
Hello I am looking to start my first salt water tank but want to start with a 12 gallon tank how much sand would I need,and what other stuff do I need besides the live rocks.. I have a few fresh water tanks.
Question by: carlos Torres on Nov 11, 2016, 3:02 PM
Great question! A 5lb bag would be a good start for a 12gal tank sand bed. For detailed information on how to get started in the hobby, we really recommend watching our YouTube Channel and the 52 Weeks of Reefing series! :-)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcJv2rQDivg8NwXIxydJ86A
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcJv2rQDivg8NwXIxydJ86A
Answer by: Randy on Nov 14, 2016, 2:33 PM
Hi I have a 90 gallon tank with about 50 pounds of like rock in it for over a year now with no sand. Can I add this and without recycling the tank. thank you for your time
Question by: Curtis Roth on Jun 15, 2016, 11:14 AM
Great question!
It certainly can be added without much of a new cycle. You will ideally want to rinse the sand beforehand in tank water to removed the dust and fines when placing in the new sand. Feel free to let us know if you have any further questions.
It certainly can be added without much of a new cycle. You will ideally want to rinse the sand beforehand in tank water to removed the dust and fines when placing in the new sand. Feel free to let us know if you have any further questions.
Answer by: Connor on Jun 15, 2016, 11:40 AM
How much I need if I got a 60g cube 24x24x24
Question by: Darrell Booker on Apr 17, 2016, 3:44 PM
Great question!
For a 1" sand bed you will need 25 lbs. for a 2" sand bed you can double the amount to 50 lbs. Feel free to let us know if you have any further questions!
For a 1" sand bed you will need 25 lbs. for a 2" sand bed you can double the amount to 50 lbs. Feel free to let us know if you have any further questions!
Answer by: Connor on Apr 22, 2016, 10:44 AM
I would like to add some sand to my tank. Is the clarifier that comes with this reef safe to use?
Question by: Eric Johnson on Mar 10, 2016, 6:39 PM
Great question!
The clarifier is included is reef safe and may make your skimmer start acting up if it is running. Feel free to let us know if you have any further questions!
The clarifier is included is reef safe and may make your skimmer start acting up if it is running. Feel free to let us know if you have any further questions!
Answer by: Connor on Mar 11, 2016, 9:00 AM
How much of this sand would I need for my 300 gallon tank? The dimensions are 24" from front to back, 37" from top to bottom.
Question by: Paulina on Feb 26, 2016, 9:56 AM
Great question!
unfortunately I was unable to find the length of the tank provided. If you tank is 72" long and 24" front to back you will need around 100 lbs for 1.5" deep sand bed across the tank. Feel free to let us know if you have any further questions!
unfortunately I was unable to find the length of the tank provided. If you tank is 72" long and 24" front to back you will need around 100 lbs for 1.5" deep sand bed across the tank. Feel free to let us know if you have any further questions!
Answer by: Connor on Feb 26, 2016, 10:01 AM
is /does Fiji pink shipped w/ocean water in with sand thank you
Question by: chris mcdevitt on Feb 25, 2016, 11:05 PM
Great question!
The Fiji Pink is not shipped with "ocean" water, rather it is dormant bacteria and saltwater and does not contain hitchhikers or other pests. Feel free to let us know if you have any further questions!
The Fiji Pink is not shipped with "ocean" water, rather it is dormant bacteria and saltwater and does not contain hitchhikers or other pests. Feel free to let us know if you have any further questions!
Answer by: Connor on Feb 26, 2016, 9:46 AM
Will BRS ever get Tropic Eden sand?
Question by: John Frank on Feb 2, 2016, 11:27 AM
Great question!
Unfortunately bringing in heavy items such as sand does take some time and accounting. I have submitted the request to look into bringing in more options such as Tropic Eden. Feel free to let us know if you have any further questions!
Unfortunately bringing in heavy items such as sand does take some time and accounting. I have submitted the request to look into bringing in more options such as Tropic Eden. Feel free to let us know if you have any further questions!
Answer by: Connor on Feb 24, 2016, 4:23 PM
I want to swap out my crush coral substrate for live sand... I have lots of coral, 6 fish, 2 urchins and cuc. I am running a 75 gallon reef tank with prolly 70-80 lbs live rock at least. where do I start? how many bags of what type and how deep do I need this sand bed to be?. this 75 was upgraded from a 30 gallon 1 yr ago. 30 gallon was bout 3 yrs old. would like an option with as little neg-impact on my inhabitants as possible. please help... kinda like the figi pink sand... tank is 4' wide x 18" front to back
Question by: brad on Jun 3, 2014, 7:04 PM
Hey Brad,
How deep of a sandbed is largely dependent on your own aesthetic preference unless you happen to have a critter that requires a certain amount of sand (like a Jawfish for example). For a tank that size you will get about an inch of sand for every 50lbs which would be plenty if you don't have any critters that require more.
How deep of a sandbed is largely dependent on your own aesthetic preference unless you happen to have a critter that requires a certain amount of sand (like a Jawfish for example). For a tank that size you will get about an inch of sand for every 50lbs which would be plenty if you don't have any critters that require more.
Answer by: Bulk Reef Supply on Jun 3, 2014, 7:04 PM
I will be starting up a 75 gallon Rimless (48x18x21) in the coming weeks and wonder how much of this sand I would need. I am not looking for the deep sand bed trick, just need the right amount for a nice layer. Assuming 100 lbs like the previous question by Bud. Also, what is more recommended....place the rock structure onto the base glass of the tank and filling sand around the rock, or laying the bed first and shifting the rock into the base? What works well in terms of minimizing any deadly detritus build up? Thanks for your time.
Question by: JR on May 12, 2014, 10:07 AM
Hi JR,
100lbs should be plenty for a nice 2" or so sandbed in that size tank. When it comes to aquascaping I always put the rock down first. That way you don't have to worry about a critter digging the sand out under the rock and causing a land slide or anything.
100lbs should be plenty for a nice 2" or so sandbed in that size tank. When it comes to aquascaping I always put the rock down first. That way you don't have to worry about a critter digging the sand out under the rock and causing a land slide or anything.
Answer by: Bulk Reef Supply on May 12, 2014, 10:07 AM
Would this sand work for an already established tank. I plan on replacing crushed coral with fiji pink. Dont know if I want to put live sand in.
Question by: jason on May 6, 2014, 8:10 AM
Hi Jason,
It wouldn't be a problem at all to use this with an existing tank. The biggest concern would be to make sure you remove the old substrate a little bit at a time. You don't want to remove it all at once as there may be a high population of your bacterial filtration on it.
It wouldn't be a problem at all to use this with an existing tank. The biggest concern would be to make sure you remove the old substrate a little bit at a time. You don't want to remove it all at once as there may be a high population of your bacterial filtration on it.
Answer by: Bulk Reef Supply on May 6, 2014, 8:10 AM
What is the shelf life of this sand? I want to purchase this now that it's on sale but will not be using it for perhaps a month or so.
Thanks:)
Thanks:)
Question by: David on Apr 16, 2014, 1:32 PM
Hi David,
That wont be any problem at all :-)
That wont be any problem at all :-)
Answer by: Bulk Reef Supply on Apr 16, 2014, 1:32 PM
How much of this would I need for a normal 75g tank? I am looking at having a 2in deep sand bed.
Question by: Bud on Jan 5, 2014, 2:58 PM
It depends on the exact dimensions of your tank but assuming its 48x18 like most 75g tanks then your looking at about 100lbs for a 2" sand bed.
Answer by: Bulk Reef Supply on Jan 5, 2014, 2:58 PM
I am looking to put an inch depth in a new 225 gallon tank, 27x72. Is this sand really alive? I am starting with dry live rock and do not to put anything bad in my tank. Please advise. How much do I need? thx
Question by: Adam on Dec 26, 2013, 9:21 AM
Hi Adam,
It has the beneficial bacteria in it which is what makes it "alive" but it will still be pest free. Adding 1" of sand to a 27x72 area would require right about 100lbs of sand.
It has the beneficial bacteria in it which is what makes it "alive" but it will still be pest free. Adding 1" of sand to a 27x72 area would require right about 100lbs of sand.
Answer by: Bulk Reef Supply on Dec 26, 2013, 9:21 AM
How much sand do I need for a 120 gal tank?
Question by: Shane on Nov 30, 2013, 2:21 AM
Hi Shane,
Assuming standard 2ft x 4ft dimensions of most 120g tanks. 120lbs would get you about a 2" sand bed which is pretty typical for most folks.
Assuming standard 2ft x 4ft dimensions of most 120g tanks. 120lbs would get you about a 2" sand bed which is pretty typical for most folks.
Answer by: Bulk Reef Supply on Nov 30, 2013, 2:21 AM
how much live sand do i need for a 55 gal tank with rock and fish
Question by: bill on Oct 20, 2013, 11:31 AM
Hey Bill,
It depends on how deep of a sand bed that you are looking for. Assuming your tank is a standard 55g dimensions you can expect roughly a 1" sand bed for each 35lbs of sand that you use though.
It depends on how deep of a sand bed that you are looking for. Assuming your tank is a standard 55g dimensions you can expect roughly a 1" sand bed for each 35lbs of sand that you use though.
Answer by: Bulk Reef Supply on Oct 20, 2013, 11:31 AM
How much of this product would I need to cover a 36" x 18" surface to a depth of 1"-2"?
Question by: Kevin C on Sep 24, 2013, 4:22 AM
Hey Kevin,
Right about 70lbs of sand would get you about 2" of sand bed on a footprint that size.
Right about 70lbs of sand would get you about 2" of sand bed on a footprint that size.
Answer by: Bulk Reef Supply on Sep 24, 2013, 4:22 AM
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