7 things you couldn't sell me on a bet....discussion welcome - Page 2

chris4869 · 01/05/2009, 04:51 PM

3. crushed coral for a substrate. Aragonite is my choice.

I have aragonite sand and my Tunze and Vortech are blowing it everywhere. My SPS love the massive flow, but it's impossible for me to find a sweet spot that will keep the sand still. I was contemplating on using crushed coral to keep it from blowing everywhere.

Can you tell us why using crushed coral for a substrate is bad?

reefworm · 01/05/2009, 05:20 PM

smaller grains have far more surface area for bacteria populations

larger size of CC means less surface area, plus does not lend itself to benthic life populations

sharp edges don't encourage movement of such life

shape of CC tends to trap detritus which reduced benthic life doesn't handle sufficiently leading to nitrate problems down the road. I blame this for my system crash after 2+ years

sand looks more natural, and after time and bacteria growth, and possibly kalk drip with vinegar, will not blow around

Sugar Magnolia · 01/05/2009, 05:24 PM

I've been using a canister for years.

That being said, I clean it out every month, rinse the sponges in HOT water, and replace the sponges every other month. Great way to run media.

WaterKeeper · 01/05/2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sk8r
I[Back in the day where we all had crushed coral substrate and sometimes had to clean the sandbed, it was a lifesaver, and still has its moments of usefulness. There are times I tune in on an emergency, and think to myself, Oh, me, if only they had a diatom filter they could save this tank...

Your dating yourself young lady.

You can still use a diatom filter but there are pleated media filters available that can filter down to a micron or less. The advantage there is you take them out and place them in a 1 to 3 solution of bleach and have a brand new filter.

Sugar,

Using a sponge filter is OK but one of the pleated filters would be better, IMO.

ReiferMadness · 01/05/2009, 06:43 PM

My Seven Would Include:

- Sand sifting starfish
- Caulerpa
- Sump on my 50g (sorry that's just me)
- Crushed coral substrate
- OD'ing on sponges
- Fake coral background picture on the back of tank
- Fake corals

That's just my list. I know that I'll be crucified for the sump comment but I've run two successful tanks without them and I just don't see the reason for becoming Mario the Plumber. Again, just me... I'm sure that there are arguments that support having them and you're probably right... just not for me.

patsfan1130 · 01/05/2009, 07:06 PM

A Rio return pump

raen · 01/05/2009, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by spleify
...and no undergravel filters....

Tell Paul B's 35 yr old reef that..........

tee hee

raen · 01/05/2009, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sugar Magnolia
I've been using a canister for years. That being said, I clean it out every month, rinse the sponges in HOT water, and replace the sponges every other month. Great way to run media.

Me too! I like mine. I would love to have a fab sump, and fuge, but I got a tank that wouldn't accomidate one. Next time, I'll get all of that, as for now though,I like my can. I am OCD about the upkeep, so I guess that is why I'm not mad at it.

ronin_man · 01/05/2009, 11:24 PM

cool thread nice read

VacavilleFC3S · 01/06/2009, 12:28 AM

i've had a black and pink cucumber for over 6 months now and he's a awesome addition to my tank.

chris4869 · 01/06/2009, 11:21 AM

Thanks reefworm.

reefworm · 01/06/2009, 12:11 PM

WaterKeeper · 01/06/2009, 12:16 PM

Having Waterkeeper give an answer to a post.

Sk8r · 01/06/2009, 12:21 PM

My advice re superfine aragonite sand is to suck it out bit at a time and replace it with medium grade aragonite: I had exactly the same problem. Sand gets pasted down once it acquires a bacterial coating, but for the high flow of an sps tank, fine sand is destructive and unstable, because it STILL blows, no matter how biologically active it is.

Rysam · 01/06/2009, 01:29 PM

#4 is the truth!!!
Mine has cost me several decorator crabs, a mandarin and a couple shrimp. I would get rid of it, but apparently im the only sucker within 100 miles that didnt know better.
The bright side is that it looks cool when nothing expensive is hanging out of it.

01/05/2009, 05:20 PM	#27
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	smaller grains have far more surface area for bacteria populations larger size of CC means less surface area, plus does not lend itself to benthic life populations sharp edges don't encourage movement of such life shape of CC tends to trap detritus which reduced benthic life doesn't handle sufficiently leading to nitrate problems down the road. I blame this for my system crash after 2+ years sand looks more natural, and after time and bacteria growth, and possibly kalk drip with vinegar, will not blow around __________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school

01/05/2009, 05:24 PM	#28
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	I've been using a canister for years. That being said, I clean it out every month, rinse the sponges in HOT water, and replace the sponges every other month. Great way to run media. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

01/05/2009, 06:43 PM	#30
ReiferMadness Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 80	My Seven Would Include: - Sand sifting starfish - Caulerpa - Sump on my 50g (sorry that's just me) - Crushed coral substrate - OD'ing on sponges - Fake coral background picture on the back of tank - Fake corals That's just my list. I know that I'll be crucified for the sump comment but I've run two successful tanks without them and I just don't see the reason for becoming Mario the Plumber. Again, just me... I'm sure that there are arguments that support having them and you're probably right... just not for me. __________________ Tons of money. Tank crashes. Extreme frustration and that ridiculous grin... all in the day of a saltwater enthusiast. Current Tank Info: 47 gallon glass tank. 24" Current USA Outer Orbit lighting, Rena FilStar xP2 filtration, 50 lbs. live rock with 3" sand base Rena heater and ZooMed Powersweep PH

01/05/2009, 07:06 PM	#31
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 2,010	A Rio return pump __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef, 600g up & coming reef

01/05/2009, 11:24 PM	#34
ronin_man Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada Posts: 181	cool thread nice read __________________ i used to think a 33gal tank was big... now my 150 seems kinda small... Current Tank Info: freshwater ray tank 180gal system, community/show pleco tank 65gal FW, community tank 33gal FW, 29gal SW biocube

01/05/2009, 04:51 PM	#26
chris4869 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,006	3. crushed coral for a substrate. Aragonite is my choice. I have aragonite sand and my Tunze and Vortech are blowing it everywhere. My SPS love the massive flow, but it's impossible for me to find a sweet spot that will keep the sand still. I was contemplating on using crushed coral to keep it from blowing everywhere. Can you tell us why using crushed coral for a substrate is bad?

01/06/2009, 12:28 AM	#35
VacavilleFC3S Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vacaville California Posts: 2,613	i've had a black and pink cucumber for over 6 months now and he's a awesome addition to my tank.

01/06/2009, 11:21 AM	#36
chris4869 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,006	Thanks reefworm.

01/06/2009, 12:11 PM	#37
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	__________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school

01/06/2009, 12:16 PM	#38
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Having Waterkeeper give an answer to a post. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

01/06/2009, 12:21 PM	#39
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	My advice re superfine aragonite sand is to suck it out bit at a time and replace it with medium grade aragonite: I had exactly the same problem. Sand gets pasted down once it acquires a bacterial coating, but for the high flow of an sps tank, fine sand is destructive and unstable, because it STILL blows, no matter how biologically active it is. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

01/06/2009, 01:29 PM	#40
Rysam Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: paradise california Posts: 1,000	#4 is the truth!!! Mine has cost me several decorator crabs, a mandarin and a couple shrimp. I would get rid of it, but apparently im the only sucker within 100 miles that didnt know better. The bright side is that it looks cool when nothing expensive is hanging out of it. __________________ Josh “Seek advice but use your own common sense” Yiddish Proverb quote “Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.” Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: 135 reef