Substrate question

Fire Dude · 03/03/2006, 03:12 AM

Hi All,

I'm getting ready to setup my new 75G and I'm trying to decide what to do about substrate. I like the idea of a BB tank but I'm not sure I like the look. I was thinking of going with a 1" base but I'm wondering if it will just be a detritus trap (easy to collect debris and not deep enough to process it properly). Also, If I do this I'm wondering what size substrate to get. My return probably provides about 700gph to the top of the tank and my Tunze has about 1100gph at it's highest speed. I'd like to go with the smallest stuff that won't get blown around. Any suggestions?

What I was thinking of doing is putting eggcrate on the bottom, as a base for my rock, and then putting the 1" substrate in to cover it. Does that make sense?

mg426 · 03/03/2006, 03:28 AM

I am not sure about the eggcrate. I dont know if it would hinder any critters that would be living in the sand. as for substrate 1 or 2 inches looks better in the main tank than a 6 inch DSB. You can always use the DSB in a sump/refugim so you dont have to look at it and would help with nitrate export.

Fire Dude · 03/03/2006, 12:16 PM

Any thoughts on substrate size?

Reef'in Colorado · 03/03/2006, 12:24 PM

oolitic or sugar sized sand is best for critters to live in

lbear · 03/03/2006, 12:59 PM

I have same question. I kept reading threads and did lots of google searches. I got more and more confused about the substrate thing. Just want to bump this thread.

Serioussnaps · 03/03/2006, 05:17 PM

If you like the aesthetic look and dont want a deitrus trap, go with CaribSea(the brand) sugar fine "OOLITIC" sand, it is so fine it doesnt produce areas for deitrus to get trapped. The deitrus just sits atop of mine and i vacuum it out in weekly water changes and i have a natural rather than industrial looking biotope.

Serioussnaps · 03/03/2006, 05:18 PM

I second mg426, use the DSB in the fuge. If you dont have a fuge and ur starting your tank, get one now!!!!!!!!!! Will solve many future problems before they happen and save you many headaches.

NCreefwannabe · 03/03/2006, 07:21 PM

using the eggcrate is what I did. It wont hinder anything since its not very tall. Its a perfect base for the rock to be on instead of the glass. just be sure to cut it like an inch short of all the edges so its not touching the silicon seals.

Fire Dude · 03/04/2006, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Serioussnaps
If you like the aesthetic look and dont want a deitrus trap, go with CaribSea(the brand) sugar fine "OOLITIC" sand, it is so fine it doesnt produce areas for deitrus to get trapped. The deitrus just sits atop of mine and i vacuum it out in weekly water changes and i have a natural rather than industrial looking biotope.

Are you able to vacuum it without sucking the fine sand out? Also, would tank flow blow it around? I'll have about 1600gph in my 75G.

dicjones · 03/04/2006, 03:01 PM

I currently have a 75 gallon with crushed coral and I am planning on going BB soon. I've been reading these forums and it seems that starboard is the way to go with BB. It looks nice and will protect the bottom glass from rock slides should you have any.

The botttom line with substrate is you can argue until you are blue about advantages and disadvantages, just go with what YOU like.

Alaskan Reefer · 03/04/2006, 03:15 PM

Agree with dicjones -- go with what you like. I like a medium sand like Carib Sea Reef Sand -- allows me to siphon clean without taking any sand out. It does collect detritus slowly (I have pretty strong flow), but that doesn't bother me since I clean it. Just personal preference -- get what you like and maintain accordingly.

landscapen · 03/04/2006, 05:58 PM

it has been a while but there was a sand that home depot was selling i used that and the seed ed with some live sand from a few different places and it worked great for me cheap too

The Reefer91 · 03/04/2006, 06:56 PM

you're thinking of southdown sand landscapen. my strategy will be to only use sand where rock isn't covering, so it doesn't get stuck between the rock and sand. and the rock will be suspended on eggcrate with PVC pipe. when it comes down to it, it's a matter of prefrence. i'm doing a DSB in my 40g fuge so i get the benifits.

03/03/2006, 03:12 AM	#1
Fire Dude Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 71	Substrate question Hi All, I'm getting ready to setup my new 75G and I'm trying to decide what to do about substrate. I like the idea of a BB tank but I'm not sure I like the look. I was thinking of going with a 1" base but I'm wondering if it will just be a detritus trap (easy to collect debris and not deep enough to process it properly). Also, If I do this I'm wondering what size substrate to get. My return probably provides about 700gph to the top of the tank and my Tunze has about 1100gph at it's highest speed. I'd like to go with the smallest stuff that won't get blown around. Any suggestions? What I was thinking of doing is putting eggcrate on the bottom, as a base for my rock, and then putting the 1" substrate in to cover it. Does that make sense? __________________ Best Regards, Scott. Current Tank Info: 75G Mixed reef, 2 x 175W Hamilton, custom sump, Tunze 230 and 7400/2. 10G Nano. 3 FW tanks.

03/03/2006, 03:28 AM	#2
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	I am not sure about the eggcrate. I dont know if it would hinder any critters that would be living in the sand. as for substrate 1 or 2 inches looks better in the main tank than a 6 inch DSB. You can always use the DSB in a sump/refugim so you dont have to look at it and would help with nitrate export. __________________ 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

03/03/2006, 12:16 PM	#3
Fire Dude Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 71	Any thoughts on substrate size? __________________ Best Regards, Scott. Current Tank Info: 75G Mixed reef, 2 x 175W Hamilton, custom sump, Tunze 230 and 7400/2. 10G Nano. 3 FW tanks.

03/04/2006, 03:15 PM	#11
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	Agree with dicjones -- go with what you like. I like a medium sand like Carib Sea Reef Sand -- allows me to siphon clean without taking any sand out. It does collect detritus slowly (I have pretty strong flow), but that doesn't bother me since I clean it. Just personal preference -- get what you like and maintain accordingly. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

03/04/2006, 06:56 PM	#13
The Reefer91 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,250	you're thinking of southdown sand landscapen. my strategy will be to only use sand where rock isn't covering, so it doesn't get stuck between the rock and sand. and the rock will be suspended on eggcrate with PVC pipe. when it comes down to it, it's a matter of prefrence. i'm doing a DSB in my 40g fuge so i get the benifits. __________________ Dan "Every day we fade little by little, 'till there's nothing left of us but the lies we've sown." Current Tank Info: 20g L display: 2x65watt Coralife light, Octopus 150 needle wheel protein skimmer, 1 Koralia 2 and 2 powersweeps, and a DIY sump/fuge.....120G in the works!!!

03/03/2006, 12:24 PM	#4
Reef'in Colorado Reefer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Frederick, Co. Posts: 934	oolitic or sugar sized sand is best for critters to live in

03/03/2006, 12:59 PM	#5
lbear Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 391	I have same question. I kept reading threads and did lots of google searches. I got more and more confused about the substrate thing. Just want to bump this thread.

03/03/2006, 05:17 PM	#6
Serioussnaps Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,703	If you like the aesthetic look and dont want a deitrus trap, go with CaribSea(the brand) sugar fine "OOLITIC" sand, it is so fine it doesnt produce areas for deitrus to get trapped. The deitrus just sits atop of mine and i vacuum it out in weekly water changes and i have a natural rather than industrial looking biotope.

03/03/2006, 05:18 PM	#7
Serioussnaps Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,703	I second mg426, use the DSB in the fuge. If you dont have a fuge and ur starting your tank, get one now!!!!!!!!!! Will solve many future problems before they happen and save you many headaches.

03/03/2006, 07:21 PM	#8
NCreefwannabe Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 953	using the eggcrate is what I did. It wont hinder anything since its not very tall. Its a perfect base for the rock to be on instead of the glass. just be sure to cut it like an inch short of all the edges so its not touching the silicon seals.

03/04/2006, 03:01 PM	#10
dicjones Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Muscatine, Iowa Posts: 46	I currently have a 75 gallon with crushed coral and I am planning on going BB soon. I've been reading these forums and it seems that starboard is the way to go with BB. It looks nice and will protect the bottom glass from rock slides should you have any. The botttom line with substrate is you can argue until you are blue about advantages and disadvantages, just go with what YOU like.

03/04/2006, 05:58 PM	#12
landscapen Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: RI Posts: 50	it has been a while but there was a sand that home depot was selling i used that and the seed ed with some live sand from a few different places and it worked great for me cheap too