Glass beads for DSB

[Tanzy]

Due to the lack of sugar-size aragonite sand for a proper deep sand bed, many reefers in UK are turning to glass beads as substrate. Glass beads are inert and look pure white, whiter than crushed coral, which makes them excellent material for the reef tank. They don't create dust and they settle quickly. The glass beads are for use in air blasting.

Glass beads should be available here:

Asia Airblast Pte Ltd.

No. 45, Kian Teck Drive

Blk. 2, #02-00

Singapore 628859

Tel. : 2666010

Fax : 2666968

E-mail : a55622a@pacific.net.sg

The recommended size is Mesh size 9. The beads are spherical and have no sharp edges. It is reported to be an excellent media and animals are living in it as though it is sand. I'll definitely get a bag to try out in my refugium later this year. Those who are starting out their tanks should consider this alternative to size #1 sand.

[Tanzy]

Picture of the glass beads.

[Phang]

Glass beads should be available here:

Asia Airblast Pte Ltd.

No. 45, Kian Teck Drive

Blk. 2, #02-00

Singapore 628859

Tel. : 2666010

Fax : 2666968

E-mail : a55622a@pacific.net.sg

The recommended size is Mesh size 9. The beads are spherical and have no sharp edges. It is reported to be an excellent media and animals are living in it as though it is sand. I'll definitely get a bag to try out in my refugium later this year. Those who are starting out their tanks should consider this alternative to size #1 sand.

Called up Asia Airblast and they don't carry stock for abrasives..

However linked me up to another firm....

Attached are details...

Pan Abrasives (Pte) Ltd

24 Pioneer Sec 2

Contact : 6 861 6988

For Mesh size 9, (106 - 210 microns)

quotation is at $ 1.70 per kg

Min purchase requirement is at 25 kg...( 1 bag )

Purchase of more than 5 bags would include delivery...

of course also at a better price ...

Can contact Yiling at the above mentioned number or

at

ee_ling_teo@pan/abrasives.com

Now, who's keen........

[B|uEc@rpEt]

Wow! Glass beads?

Hey Tanzy....a question...will these glass beads look a little artificial if I were to add them to my current sand bed (main tank)?

Pls advise...tks

[hydra]

Is it a good idea to replace coral sand with glass beads ? Coral sands is calcareous, and

provide pH buffers. Maybe, a mixture of both will be good. Glass beads for the deeper layers

and coral sands on top.....

[nivlac]

Due to the lack of sugar-size aragonite sand for a proper deep sand bed, many reefers in UK are turning to glass beads as substrate. Glass beads are inert and look pure white, whiter than crushed coral, which makes them excellent material for the reef tank. They don't create dust and they settle quickly. The glass beads are for use in air blasting.

Glass beads should be available here:

Asia Airblast Pte Ltd.

No. 45, Kian Teck Drive

Blk. 2, #02-00

Singapore 628859

Tel. : 2666010

Fax : 2666968

E-mail : a55622a@pacific.net.sg

The recommended size is Mesh size 9. The beads are spherical and have no sharp edges. It is reported to be an excellent media and animals are living in it as though it is sand. I'll definitely get a bag to try out in my refugium later this year. Those who are starting out their tanks should consider this alternative to size #1 sand.

Is this grain size smaller than #1 sand?

[Tanzy]

Thanx for the info Phang!

Nivlac,

The size should roughly be the same as fine sugar you add to your coffee and tea.

Bluecarpet,

Artificial only because it is so white. You can't tell the difference unless you look very close. The glass beads are size of sugar crystals so they are too small for casual observers to spot the difference.

Hydra,

Good point! That was the initial worry of many users in UK but it turned out to be no problem as long as you maintain high alk in the water. The buffering ability of the water is not affected by the absence of sand. Calcium carbonate starts desolving only at less than pH 7. To rely on the sand for buffering means that your water pH is pretty low already.

[Achilles Tang]

Tanzy! You beat me to it!

I was considering glass beads too at one time but I have since forgotten to pursue them!

Seems like you're pretty much up to date on the latest stuff too!

The only downside to glass beads is that perhaps the surface area is too smooth, bacteria may not get a good 'grip' as compared to rough surfaces like sand grains. Hahah... my logic!

[VANAN]

I wasn't considering glass beads but was once thinking of plastic beads....

But i too had the same idealogy as u AT... i was afraid that the bacteria might be able to colonize the surface....

Tanzy can the glass beads support bacteria growth...

Pls enlighten me more on this glass beads...OM

[Tanzy]

I can tell from experience that bacteria can grow on glass. Microbiology is part of my course. Microscopic examination of most glass surfaces show pits and micro fractures. To you it might look smooth but it could be the Grand canyon to the microbes. At least I don't see the algae(not bacteria, but you get the picture) sliding off my glass walls! Bacteria also use mucous to stick themselves onto the surfaces.

It seems that it is doing marvellous here in UK compared to sand. Cheaper than aragonite too! Inert so no problems with phosphates and metals. With the small particle size, the surface area is HUGE!

I'm gonna use glass for my next tank!

[VANAN]

wow tempting to hear that.... i think i wanna get it too for my new tank....

[hongqixian]

It seems that it is doing marvellous here in UK compared to sand.

You are in UK?

[Tanzy]

At the moment. Yes I am in London.

The time is 12 21 and the temperature is 12C. Weather is good and the sun is out. Partly cloudy with showers expected later in the afternoon.

Included is the latest picture of the sky over London. The grey building on the left with a flag is the Shell Empire HQ.

[hongqixian]

Nice pic! I've never been to UK.

[Tanzy]

I have been informed that glass beads shift more than sand, so it is not advisable to place LR directly on them. The rocks need to be on the tank bottom or supported by racks or PVC pipes in case the glass beads shift and cause a collapse.

HQX,

You haven't missed anything.

[Tanzy]

Dr Ron Shimek said "The glass beads will be just dandy for a dsb." when asked about the feasability of this media. I'm quoting a reefer in UK who had some personal communications with Ron.

[hongqixian]

I have been informed that glass beads shift more than sand, so it is not advisable to place LR directly on them. The rocks need to be on the tank bottom or supported by racks or PVC pipes in case the glass beads shift and cause a collapse.

HQX,

You haven't missed anything.

Glad to hear that because I dislike long flights

[alvy]

Hi, i'm thinking of getting a new 6 feet tank (coz my 3 ft just crashed yesterday with TOTAL DESTRUCTION!!35 degree water temp as chiller chonked out!!everything except the clams DIED, not even the fish are spared!!! stupid KL trip!) and i'm really interested in this glass bead livesand idea as it seemed to be quite affordable compared to aragonite or even fine C0 sand! how deep of this glass bead should it be used to be competent in denitritfication? I'm ok with having it real deep as i want to sink my tank into the cabinet. How much sand should i purchase?? planning for 6 X 2.5 X 2.5 ( or 3 feet deep if the sand bed gets too thick!)

thank you!

[Phang]

Attached are details...

Pan Abrasives (Pte) Ltd

24 Pioneer Sec 2

Contact : 6 861 6988

For Mesh size 9, (106 - 210 microns)

quotation is at $ 1.70 per kg

Min purchase requirement is at 25 kg...( 1 bag )

Purchase of more than 5 bags would include delivery...

of course also at a better price ...

Can contact Yiling at the above mentioned number or

at

ee_ling_teo@pan/abrasives.com

Alvy,

So you are away.....

No wonder no reply when I message you.....

I think the infor regards the beads are mentioned above....

You gonna DIY that 6 ft tank????

PS... My Beckett's on the way....

And also thinking of a DIYed Calcium Reactor.....

[chanbi]

Is that consider a cheaper option ($17 for 10kg)? I was at Ocean Planet yesterday and they are selling 10kg of grade #1 at $8-9. Sealife is at $15. Unless the surface area of the glass bead is much bigger when compare kg to kg?

[Achilles Tang]

Hi, i'm thinking of getting a new 6 feet tank (coz my 3 ft just crashed yesterday with TOTAL DESTRUCTION!!35 degree water temp as chiller chonked out!!everything except the clams DIED, not even the fish are spared!!! stupid KL trip!) and i'm really interested in this glass bead livesand idea as it seemed to be quite affordable compared to aragonite or even fine C0 sand! how deep of this glass bead should it be used to be competent in denitritfication? I'm ok with having it real deep as i want to sink my tank into the cabinet. How much sand should i purchase?? planning for 6 X 2.5 X 2.5 ( or 3 feet deep if the sand bed gets too thick!)

thank you!

Alvy,

I share your grief... I had the same thing happened to my tank before... chiller related.... I lost many prized corals... and some are bleached now... but I am hoping they recover over time in my new tank.

If you need help with your 6ft... I can hook you up with a good glass specialist. Your new chiller... I can get Teco at good prices better than LFS retail.

I have my new tank's depth to be about 2ft 5" as I am having a 6" DSB sloping to 4"... and the 2ft depth is perfect for easy maintenance... any deeper and your fishes will see the black hairy urchin often. 3ft is too deep IMO.

Anyway, welcome to the Singapore Reef Club...

Sorry about the circumstances that we have to welcome you in!