How much sand to get?

[Polardbear]

I'm contemplating changing my gravel substrate in my 55 gallon tank to black Tahitian Moon sand. I know it's more expensive than some of the other sand options but I like the way it looks. Is there a formula for calculating how much sand you'll need? I know when I bought my gravel I used the calulation on the gravel bag - 1.5 lb's per gallon and I ended up with like a 4 inch gravel layer. (Which worked out in the end because after it cycled I was able to take enough gravel out of it to start up 3 more tanks without any of them going through a cycle!)

I'd like to have it about 1 - 1.5 inches thick but I'd like to avoid over buying this time around as I really don't want to convert my other tanks at this time!

My tank is a 55 gallon, 48 inches long by 13 inches wide by 20 or 21 inches tall.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Paul_MTS]

I don't know of any formula but on my 4ft by 20" i used 1 25KG bag and have about an inch depth.

So I think a 20-25kg will do fine to get your wanted depth.

 

[corykitty516]

If you happen to be in your local home/garden center and find where they keep the sand (play sand, leveling sand) look at the side of the bag and there is a formula for lbs of sand for area x depth printed on the bag. I wish I could remeber what it was.

I used 50 lbs of playsand for my 55 (dont know the dimensions right off but its an All-Glass) The avg. depth is 1.5 -2 in.

 

[Polardbear]

Thanks Paul V Biker and corykitty516. My tank is an All Glass as well. Since I can only find the sand I want in 20 lb bags, I guess I'll get 2 bags to start. If I do it while the stores open I can always run over and get a 3rd bag if needed.