Need advice on new 200G set up

bucfan · 11/21/2014, 07:33 PM

I'm planning an upgrade from my 100G mixed reef to a 200G SPS dominated tank. I will have some acans, favias, zoas and leathers in the tank but the tank will mostly be acros. Was wondering whether I should go bare bottom or sand? I currently have a bare bottom tank but this has limited what fish I can keep. Is a bare bottom tank better for SPS? Also is there any problem with keeping leathers/mushrooms in a SPS tank? Someone mentioned they release toxins which can hurt acros. Is that true?

billdogg · 11/21/2014, 08:03 PM

BB/sand is a personal preference. I think BB looks unnatural so you can guess what mine looks like. Unless you plan on jawfish or garden eels I would avoid a Deep Sand Bed In the DT because of potential issues down the road and because it uses valuable real estate. A remote Deep Sand Bed is very easy if you want to take advantage of the benefits.

You can keep softies with SPS if you run carbon to reduce the possibility of Allelopathy (chemical warfare) between the corals. Personally, I see it as a good excuse to have another tank.

bucfan · 11/22/2014, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdogg

BB/sand is a personal preference. I think BB looks unnatural so you can guess what mine looks like.

You can keep softies with SPS if you run carbon to reduce the possibility of Allelopathy (chemical warfare) between the corals. Personally, I see it as a good excuse to have another tank.

I have a second 30G tank which is dominated by softies. I still like the mixed reef environment and the sand look which are more natural, so I am leaning towards that. Just did not know with sand how high I can turn the flow without disturbing the sand. Running carbon now in my mixed reef set up which will be the case in the 200G. Going to have a 35G refugium but will likely not use sand in there but only LR and macros.

phenom5 · 11/22/2014, 07:51 AM

I've run both in the past, I don't mind the BB look, but I prefer sand.

Seaflor Special or Tropical Eden Reefflakes are probably your best bet with high flow.

bucfan · 11/22/2014, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phenom5

I've run both in the past, I don't mind the BB look, but I prefer sand.

Seaflor Special or Tropical Eden Reefflakes are probably your best bet with high flow.

Looks like Seaflor needs to be rinsed before use. Also read mixed reviews on Reefflakes. Any comments?

phenom5 · 11/22/2014, 09:19 AM

Most sands need to be rinse...or need to be rinsed if you don't want your tank to cloud really bad.

I got a lot of recommendations for reefflakes when I was setting up. Supposedly it's a little "cleaner" than Seaflor Special.

billdogg · 11/22/2014, 10:50 AM

I use sugar fine arragonite. It is extremely fine. Did it blow around a bit at first? Sure. It still does a bit as the powerheads cycle on and off. Gives it a more natural look IMO.

11/21/2014, 07:33 PM	#1
bucfan Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 415	Need advice on new 200G set up I'm planning an upgrade from my 100G mixed reef to a 200G SPS dominated tank. I will have some acans, favias, zoas and leathers in the tank but the tank will mostly be acros. Was wondering whether I should go bare bottom or sand? I currently have a bare bottom tank but this has limited what fish I can keep. Is a bare bottom tank better for SPS? Also is there any problem with keeping leathers/mushrooms in a SPS tank? Someone mentioned they release toxins which can hurt acros. Is that true? __________________ 205G Custom SPS dominated reef and 55G Red Sea Reefer 250 mixed reef

11/21/2014, 08:03 PM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	BB/sand is a personal preference. I think BB looks unnatural so you can guess what mine looks like. Unless you plan on jawfish or garden eels I would avoid a Deep Sand Bed In the DT because of potential issues down the road and because it uses valuable real estate. A remote Deep Sand Bed is very easy if you want to take advantage of the benefits. You can keep softies with SPS if you run carbon to reduce the possibility of Allelopathy (chemical warfare) between the corals. Personally, I see it as a good excuse to have another tank. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

11/22/2014, 07:51 AM	#4
phenom5 Unregistered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,096	I've run both in the past, I don't mind the BB look, but I prefer sand. Seaflor Special or Tropical Eden Reefflakes are probably your best bet with high flow. __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: DSA 155 Pro \| ATI Sunpower \| ATB 840 v2 \| Apex \| Wav

11/22/2014, 09:19 AM	#6
phenom5 Unregistered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,096	Most sands need to be rinse...or need to be rinsed if you don't want your tank to cloud really bad. I got a lot of recommendations for reefflakes when I was setting up. Supposedly it's a little "cleaner" than Seaflor Special. __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: DSA 155 Pro \| ATI Sunpower \| ATB 840 v2 \| Apex \| Wav

11/22/2014, 10:50 AM	#7
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I use sugar fine arragonite. It is extremely fine. Did it blow around a bit at first? Sure. It still does a bit as the powerheads cycle on and off. Gives it a more natural look IMO. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer