been a long time since I reefkept, but I am returning

[wperdigon]

Hello - I use to keep an active reef years ago. Recently I had to move and now in the new place I have restarted my old hobby. Currently I'm working with a 46 bow-front tank. I am running it bare bottom but I was thinking about adding some substrate. I recall in the past I used crushed coral and IIRC it was because of something with PH control.

However as with time, things get better and technology proves/disproves a lot of things.

1) I am not opposed to running bare bottom
2) If I go to a substrate, what's the recommendations?
3) I was thinking of Crushed Coral through the two little fishes reactor. What's peoples opinion of that, and if I did it that way, would I yield any benefit from it?

Thank you very much for your Guidance. I know I will be here more frequently because I seriously think the local store guy is a complete idiot.

 

[wperdigon]

no one has any direction =( aww shucks

 

[garyinco]

I have the same understanding about PH control and substrates. I like the caribsea brand.

"1) I am not opposed to running bare bottom"
That can get you arrested in many public places.

 

[wperdigon]

haha that's funny -

well I am currently running bare =) My kids love it, cause they can peek under the tank case and see the fish from the bottom!

I do want a substrate to control the ph, I guess I'm just wondering that if I used a reactor would I achieve the same effect?

 

[robs.mark]

In my honest opinion unless your planning a high flow sps tank then bb isnt nessessery, even then their are other options, like a shallow sand bed (ssb). My last couple of tanks where bb, and now my new build will have sand, argonite, to be specific. I find with bb tanks that the debris always congragates in one area, and although its easy to syphon out, looks unsightly just a fouple of hours after doing a w.c. Personal preference really.

Running crushed coral in a reactor? absolutly no point, if your going to do that you may as well stick a c02 bottle in their and call it a calcium reactor! as long as your other parameters are in check and you have plenty of flow (oxygenisation) you shouldnt have a problem.

Great to have you back by the way!

 

[wperdigon]

Rob - that is exactly what I'm building my tank for - SPS and lots of it - however I don't have a debris issue. I'm running 5 pumps in the tank currently with a hydor wavemaker pushing them. I have the entire tank flowing without a single "dead spot" for anything more then 3 hours. (wave make cycle time)

also, I have a calcium reactor as well.

 

[robs.mark]

Great stuff, sounds like your onto a winner!

can you share a pic with us?

cheers, Mark.