new tank substrate

FernanQ · 04/22/2007, 11:51 PM

I'm new to saltwater and I'm setting up a 55 gal and I have some questions. I need to get some substrate. There are several grain sizes...is sand good? Is there a reason for me to get a more course substrate? I cleaned my freshwater tank with a gravel vacuum....can I use that with sand? Do I need to vacuum it at all??

Also, I see some reef aquariums here with so much rock and very little bottom surface...How do you keep it clean from detritus?...I see it's not possible with a gravel vacuum underneath all those rocks. I know,, these may sound like dumb questions but can someone shed me some please light and experience...

kau_cinta_ku · 04/22/2007, 11:59 PM

To Reef Central
sand is the best way to go IMO. the courseer you go the more chances for nasites to acculimate into it. as for keeping the sand clean nass. snails, tiger tail cuke, bristle worms, ect. they are all great for keeping the sand nice and white.

it all depends on how you layout your tank with the LR to get more or less surface area. just the way you like it.

also no question is a dumb one.

neotekz · 04/23/2007, 02:01 AM

oolitic sand is what you want, this is a very fine sand sometimes called sugar sand.

mg426 · 04/23/2007, 02:19 AM

WELCOME to RC. sand is the way to go !!

04/22/2007, 11:51 PM	#1
FernanQ Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Central Coast California Posts: 19	new tank substrate I'm new to saltwater and I'm setting up a 55 gal and I have some questions. I need to get some substrate. There are several grain sizes...is sand good? Is there a reason for me to get a more course substrate? I cleaned my freshwater tank with a gravel vacuum....can I use that with sand? Do I need to vacuum it at all?? Also, I see some reef aquariums here with so much rock and very little bottom surface...How do you keep it clean from detritus?...I see it's not possible with a gravel vacuum underneath all those rocks. I know,, these may sound like dumb questions but can someone shed me some please light and experience...

04/23/2007, 02:19 AM	#4
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	WELCOME to RC. sand is the way to go !! __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

04/22/2007, 11:59 PM	#2
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	*To Reef Central* sand is the best way to go IMO. the courseer you go the more chances for nasites to acculimate into it. as for keeping the sand clean nass. snails, tiger tail cuke, bristle worms, ect. they are all great for keeping the sand nice and white. it all depends on how you layout your tank with the LR to get more or less surface area. just the way you like it. also no question is a dumb one.

04/23/2007, 02:01 AM	#3
neotekz Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: ottawa, Ontario Posts: 698	oolitic sand is what you want, this is a very fine sand sometimes called sugar sand.