conversion to bare bottom refug..thoughts?

KashAlp · 06/08/2010, 05:52 PM

hey guys..

so i am converting my refug side of my sump to a bare bottom from a deep sandbed reug. When i had set my tank up i had used the wrong substrate and it has given me nothing but problems ever since. I already overhauled my tank and no in the process of doin the sump.

I am aware that a deep sandbed helps with nitrates but i am going to try and substitute with alot of cheato and other good plant life.

any thoughts, concerns, recommendations, or thigns i should be aware of/watch out for after im done?

thx.

Znut Reefer · 06/08/2010, 06:24 PM

My display tank is BB. I set up a refug a couple months ago, using Cheato and live rock. The Refug has no sand and is doing great. It's not much work to keep clean or maintain.

KashAlp · 06/08/2010, 06:52 PM

perfect.. exactly what i wanted to hear

..... HOWEVER, lol i know there is a down side to this. gotta be. You said your DT is BB, mine is not? this going to cause any issue's?

Znut Reefer · 06/08/2010, 07:29 PM

Nope no downside that I know of. Plenty of people I'm sure has a sandbed in their display and use a BB refug.

KashAlp · 06/08/2010, 08:06 PM

sounds good

heres what my problem was for anyone wondering...

When i first setup my tank (first SW tank ever, 125g w 55g sump) i was told that pool filter sand would be a inexpensive substitue. So i went and grabbed some, put about 50lbs in DT ind about 30lbs in refug for a deepsand bed. Now it turns out (after calling the pool company) that the sand i originaly got was Silica sand... CONSTANT BAD DIATOMS after about 8 weeks.

Finally i had enough and last weekend i overhauled my entire DT. Emptied it completly and replaced the "pool filter sand" with 80lbs arag alive live sand. Just today i got around to empting the refugium side and thought id give bare bottom a try since i have access to some extra cheato.

anyways.. for anyone considering using pool filter sand, im sure its ok as many people do it, just be sure to check first and make sure its not silca sand. Silica = diatoms (and light and phosphate

)

wish me luck, hopefully this tank is now easier to maintain and will be more attractive in the long run.

P.S i also have a nice little ball of caulerpa growing in refug.

06/08/2010, 05:52 PM	#1
KashAlp Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Angus, Ontario, Canada Posts: 211	conversion to bare bottom refug..thoughts? hey guys.. so i am converting my refug side of my sump to a bare bottom from a deep sandbed reug. When i had set my tank up i had used the wrong substrate and it has given me nothing but problems ever since. I already overhauled my tank and no in the process of doin the sump. I am aware that a deep sandbed helps with nitrates but i am going to try and substitute with alot of cheato and other good plant life. any thoughts, concerns, recommendations, or thigns i should be aware of/watch out for after im done? thx.

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06/08/2010, 06:24 PM	#2
Znut Reefer Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Claxton, Ga Posts: 3,396	My display tank is BB. I set up a refug a couple months ago, using Cheato and live rock. The Refug has no sand and is doing great. It's not much work to keep clean or maintain.

06/08/2010, 06:52 PM	#3
KashAlp Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Angus, Ontario, Canada Posts: 211	perfect.. exactly what i wanted to hear ..... HOWEVER, lol i know there is a down side to this. gotta be. You said your DT is BB, mine is not? this going to cause any issue's?

06/08/2010, 07:29 PM	#4
Znut Reefer Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Claxton, Ga Posts: 3,396	Nope no downside that I know of. Plenty of people I'm sure has a sandbed in their display and use a BB refug.

06/08/2010, 08:06 PM	#5
KashAlp Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Angus, Ontario, Canada Posts: 211	sounds good heres what my problem was for anyone wondering... When i first setup my tank (first SW tank ever, 125g w 55g sump) i was told that pool filter sand would be a inexpensive substitue. So i went and grabbed some, put about 50lbs in DT ind about 30lbs in refug for a deepsand bed. Now it turns out (after calling the pool company) that the sand i originaly got was Silica sand... CONSTANT BAD DIATOMS after about 8 weeks. Finally i had enough and last weekend i overhauled my entire DT. Emptied it completly and replaced the "pool filter sand" with 80lbs arag alive live sand. Just today i got around to empting the refugium side and thought id give bare bottom a try since i have access to some extra cheato. anyways.. for anyone considering using pool filter sand, im sure its ok as many people do it, just be sure to check first and make sure its not silca sand. Silica = diatoms (and light and phosphate ) wish me luck, hopefully this tank is now easier to maintain and will be more attractive in the long run. P.S i also have a nice little ball of caulerpa growing in refug.