BB or sand in SH tank

[vwluv10338]

Well I am preparing to set up my 55g seahorse tank and dont know what to do with the bottom. In the past I have had cyano problems with a sandbed but that was also in a 16g tank with a crappy skimmer. Now my 57 SPS is BB with a Deltec and I have no cyano, or angae problems at all. My question is since I want to do a SH tank with lots of macro and maybe other marine plants what kind of substrate should I use? Should I use a shallow sandbed or deep? The LFS has their SH in a tank that looks like a shallow sandbed and they run trickle filters w/o skimmers. I just dont want to start this tank and have cyano. Hair algae I can deal with but cyano really bothers me. What does everyone use in their tanks?

Eric

 

[vwluv10338]

So no one even wants to tell me what kind of substrate they have?

 

[hawkfish21]

I have a 2" sandbed. I do 20% water changes weekly to clean up the leftovers my seahorses didn't eat.

 

[Feelers]

If you have problems with cyano try the vodka technique, it's supposed ly works wonders.

 

[djc1026]

I also have a 2" sandbed, macros are growing fine in it.

 

[vwluv10338]

I figure a true DSB will take up too much verticle space which the hoarses need. I mean a 55g is only 20 in tall and putting in a 4-6in sand bed would make an incredible difference.

Eric

 

[pledosophy]

I have a mixture of live argonite sand and crushed coral. It ranges from 1"-3" deep depending where in the tank it is. There is so much prolifera growing in the sand you cannot see it at all. I have not seen my yellow watchman in a month, I did spot my diamond back goby yesterday, hadn't seen him in some time also.

IMHO a DSB is not practical in a tank of your size. I would stick between 1-2".

If you ever have a cyano outbreak again, just turn off the lights for 48 hours and the cyano will wither and die. the bacteria is photosnthetic and will not live without light. I have tried all of the OTC products but found they needed continual applications, with the lights out method it is very easy. All of my corals and macro's have faired well during the dark period.

Good Luck.

 

[Swanwillow]

I have a 2-3-0 inch sandbed: my jawfish moves the substrate around enough, that I don't have to worry about it. If it was all level, it'd be around 2 inches, I suppose

 

[Snprhed]

Are you going to use the deltec on this tank?

 

[vwluv10338]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6964672#post6964672 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Snprhed
Are you going to use the deltec on this tank?

No, the Deltec is staying on my SPS system. I havent decided what kind of skimmer I'm going to use. I am just waiting for a deal on a used one. There is a used Euroreef for sale locally that I have been thinking about. Perhaps a used G2,

Eric

 

[tonkadawg]

I am running starboard in my 18 gallon sea horse tank. Just siphon off the detritus that builds over over the week as part of my weekly water change.