{"product_id":"arag-alive-natural-reef-16lb-7-257kg","title":"Arag-Alive Natural Reef 16lb* (7.257kg)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoarse grains that stay put where flow scours fine sand.\u003c\/strong\u003e CaribSea Arag-Alive Natural Reef is a biologically active aragonite substrate supplied damp in a 16 lb (7.257 kg) bag, with a grain size of 3.0 to 5.5 mm. At that size it is closer to a fine gravel than a sand, and that is the point - it is the grade to reach for in high-flow reef tanks and under rockwork where a 0.25 mm sand would be blown into drifts. It raises pH and carbonate hardness, so it is a marine, reef and African cichlid substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e3.0 to 5.5 mm coarse grain\u003c\/strong\u003e - heavy enough per grain to resist scouring from powerheads and return flow that would move a fine sand.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLive bacteria supplied in the bag\u003c\/strong\u003e - it arrives damp and biologically active, so a new bed begins processing ammonia sooner than dry substrate would.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo rinsing\u003c\/strong\u003e - CaribSea's instruction is to place the contents directly into the aquarium.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge open pore spaces\u003c\/strong\u003e - water moves through a coarse bed rather than sitting in it, which is why coarse grades are used in high-flow zones.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuffers pH and alkalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e - aragonite adds carbonate to the water instead of consuming it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNatural mixed reef colouration\u003c\/strong\u003e - the colour comes from the coral and shell fragments themselves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow much do I need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNatural Reef comes in a 7.257 kg bag, smaller than the 9.072 kg Arag-Alive sands, so bag counts run higher for the same tank. Figures are worked from CaribSea's published bulk density of 85 lb per cubic foot (1.36 kg per litre of bed).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTank footprint\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e2.5 cm bed\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e5 cm bed\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 x 30 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.1 kg - 1 bag\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12.3 kg - 2 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e90 x 38 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11.6 kg - 2 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e23.3 kg - 4 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120 x 45 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18.4 kg - 3 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e36.8 kg - 6 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 x 60 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30.6 kg - 5 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e61.3 kg - 9 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e180 x 60 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e36.8 kg - 6 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e73.5 kg - 11 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe table stops at 5 cm deliberately. A deep bed in a 3.0 to 5.5 mm grade is not a deep sand bed - the pore spaces are far too large to go anoxic in the way a fine bed does, and instead the gaps collect detritus that you then cannot siphon out. Keep this grade shallow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow these figures are worked out\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCaribSea publishes a bulk density for every substrate. Bed volume is the tank footprint multiplied by the depth you want, and the weight is that volume multiplied by the density. Bag counts are rounded up to the next whole bag.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo practical adjustments. Rockwork sitting on the glass displaces sand, so a heavily aquascaped tank needs a little less than the table says. A bed that slopes from front to back needs the average depth, not the deepest point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGrain size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3.0 to 5.5 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBag weight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e16 lb (7.257 kg)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBulk density\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e85 lb per cubic foot (1.36 kg per litre)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBed volume per bag\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproximately 5.3 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMaterial\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAragonite, supplied damp and biologically active\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eEffect on water\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRaises pH and carbonate hardness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRinsing\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot required, and not recommended\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWater type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMarine and reef; also hard, alkaline African cichlid tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRecommended bed depth\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2.5 to 5 cm - not suited to deep beds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSupplier code\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCS0799\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich CaribSea reef sand should I choose?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGrade\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGrain size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBag\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBacteria in the bag\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBest for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/arag-alive-bimini-pink-20lb-9-072kg\"\u003eArag-Alive Bimini Pink\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.5 to 5.0 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9.072 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMixed pink bed with visible shell fragments; holds position under moderate to strong flow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/arag-alive-hawaiian-black-20lb-9-072kg\"\u003eArag-Alive Hawaiian Black\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.25 to 3.5 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9.072 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDark contrast beds; the finest of the three live grades\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/arag-alive-natural-reef-16lb-7-257kg\"\u003eArag-Alive Natural Reef\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3.0 to 5.5 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.257 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCoarse gravel grade for high-flow zones and beds under rockwork\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/aragamax-select-30lb-13-63kg\"\u003eAragaMax Select\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.5 to 1.0 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e13.63 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo, dry sand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFine uniform oolitic bed, lowest cost per kilogram\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe also stock CaribSea Arag-Alive Fiji Pink and Arag-Alive Special Grade Reef if none of the four above is the grain size you are after.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e high-flow reef tanks where fine sand piles into drifts; the bed under and around rockwork; sump and overflow chambers; hard, alkaline African cichlid tanks; anyone who has given up on a fine bed after repeatedly redistributing it by hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e jawfish, sand-sifting gobies and wrasses that burrow or sift - the grain is far too large for them to handle, and for those tanks \u003ca href=\"\/products\/aragamax-select-30lb-13-63kg\"\u003eAragaMax Select\u003c\/a\u003e at 0.5 to 1.0 mm is the right call. It is also unsuitable as a deep denitrifying bed, and unsuitable for planted, soft-water or blackwater freshwater aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCare and maintenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCoarse beds trap detritus in the gaps between grains, so this grade rewards actual gravel-vacuuming rather than the light surface siphoning a fine sand gets. Work the siphon into the bed at water changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeeping the bed shallow is what makes that possible. At 2.5 cm you can reach the glass; at 7.5 cm you cannot, and the lower layer becomes a detritus reservoir you have no way to service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/life-rock-shapes-20lb-9kg\"\u003eCaribSea Life Rock Shapes\u003c\/a\u003e - aquascaping rock to sit on the glass with the substrate filled in around it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-seas-base-rock-40lb-18kg\"\u003eCaribSea South Seas Base Rock\u003c\/a\u003e - structural rock for the foundation of a scape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/arag-alive-bimini-pink-20lb-9-072kg\"\u003eCaribSea Arag-Alive Bimini Pink\u003c\/a\u003e - a middle grade at 0.5 to 5.0 mm if Natural Reef is coarser than you want.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCaribSea does not publish a warranty term for its substrates. Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law apply regardless of that, and are not limited by anything the manufacturer does or does not offer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach bag weighs 7.257 kg. Because the bags are smaller than the 20 lb sands, a large tank runs to a lot of them - a 180 x 60 cm footprint at 5 cm depth is eleven bags, close to 80 kg.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs Natural Reef a sand or a gravel?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 3.0 to 5.5 mm it behaves as a fine gravel. It is the coarsest of the CaribSea live grades we stock, and it is chosen for stability under flow rather than for the look or feel of a sand bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I keep a sand-sifting goby over it?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Sifting gobies, wrasses and jawfish need a grain they can lift and pass through their gills or burrow into, and 3.0 to 5.5 mm is well beyond that. Choose a fine grade for those tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow deep should the bed be?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBetween 2.5 and 5 cm. Coarse substrate does not form a functioning deep sand bed, and a deep layer simply accumulates detritus in the gaps where a siphon cannot reach it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes it need rinsing?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. CaribSea supplies all Arag-Alive products damp and biologically active, and the instruction is to place the contents straight into the aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy is the bag 16 lb when the other Arag-Alive sands are 20 lb?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCaribSea packs Natural Reef in a 16 lb (7.257 kg) bag. Factor that into your bag count, because the same bed depth needs roughly a quarter more bags than a 20 lb grade at similar density.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill it stop my sand blowing into drifts?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt substantially reduces it. Each grain is far heavier than a fine sand grain, so it takes much more flow to move. No substrate resists a powerhead aimed straight down at it from close range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"CaribSea","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55293348053283,"sku":"CS0799","price":79.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/arag-alive-natural-reef-16lb-7-257kg","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}