Best Substrate for SPS Tank?

[shaginwagon13]

I am in the final stages of getting water in my new 400 Gallon peninsula tank and I was wondering the best sand for a high flow tank?

I am planning to place all the power heads on the overflow side of the tank so the pumps will really be kicking to reach the other side of the tank with adequate flow. I don't like the large crushed coral substrate, and personally love the really fine grain sand but from what I read the fine grain substrate will blow everywhere in a tank like I am planning

I was just wondering what substrate is out there that has the best of both worlds....somewhat small in size and won't blow around?


Thanks guys

 

[Reef264]

Tropic Eden's Reef Flakes

 

[shaginwagon13]

I was actually looking at that... Do you have it in your tank so I can see some pics on how it looks??

 

[lighthouze08]

Tropic Eden's Reef Flakes

+1, i just got some the other day and haven't put in the tank yet but man that stuff looks great!!! white and the size looks so uniform. Like you i looked everywhere for the perfect substrate and the reef flakes is as close to perfect as you can get

 

[Reef264]

I don't run it, but a buddy of mine on here by the name of "OneReef" uses it, I saw it in action, and it looked super great!It wasn't constantly being shifted due to Powerheads.His stays in place with 2, Mp-40's running, in a 120g.

I have CaribSea Arag-Alive.I absolutely hate it.

 

[shaginwagon13]

Ok thanks guys for the help.

 

[Allmost]

tropic eden stuff is great, we cant get them up here though .

so I used the caribsea ones, sugar size, just a size larger than the fine fine
ones.

 

[rainmkr07]

i have natures ocean pink samoa #0 sand and i love it. its small but doesnt blow around once settled. the color is amazing and its much cheaper than flakes (check out aquarium guys for 20lb bag pricing).

 

[shaginwagon13]

tropic eden stuff is great, we cant get them up here though .

so I used the caribsea ones, sugar size, just a size larger than the fine fine
ones.

We can't? Please don't tell me we need CITES for this too? :headwally:

 

[Allmost]

I dont think u need a permit, but I couldnt convince any of the LFS here to bring it here, and didnt have the time to drive down myself.

what ever you use, make sure you soak it in RO/DI water for a week, to get the po4 out.



we want pics when the tank is up haha

 

[Dog boy Dave]

Lots of people would vote no sand at all in the main display. Everyone I know around Tally that has stayed with sps for more than five years or so ends up with a bare bottom in their main display. After a year or so it really does blend in and the issues with debri and sufficinet flow are less complicated by far. Wont say anymore as i certainly dont want to fan any flames or awaken the trolls but would be happy to discuss if you wish to contact me. Good luck with you new system.

 

[Allmost]

Lots of people would vote no sand at all in the main display. Everyone I know around Tally that has stayed with sps for more than five years or so ends up with a bare bottom in their main display. After a year or so it really does blend in and the issues with debri and sufficinet flow are less complicated by far. Wont say anymore as i certainly dont want to fan any flames or awaken the trolls but would be happy to discuss if you wish to contact me. Good luck with you new system.

hmmm, I am no troll, and no flames coming out of anywhere lol

but are you saying SPS tank with sand wont last over 5 years ?

if so, it must me a Tally thing up here in Canada, we have ALOT of beautiful and successfull reefs, with Sand ! oh Europe too last time I was travellign there.

seems like you are generalizing it based on the tanks you have seen in person.


sorry if I am not getting your post.

 

[Jenzifer]

I also agree no sand in bottom.

 

[Patzig]

another +1 on reef flakes. Looks crazy good and much less blow around when compared to caribsea special grade.

 

[Pallobi]

bare bottom all the way

 

[shaginwagon13]

hmmm, I am no troll, and no flames coming out of anywhere lol

but are you saying SPS tank with sand wont last over 5 years ?

if so, it must me a Tally thing up here in Canada, we have ALOT of beautiful and successfull reefs, with Sand ! oh Europe too last time I was travellign there.

seems like you are generalizing it based on the tanks you have seen in person.


sorry if I am not getting your post.

Maybe its just a Canada thing, but very rarely have I seen a tank bare bottom as well. Almost everybody has a sand bed, SPS tank or no SPS tank and seem to have no problem

 

[Crooke]

Reeflakes looks nice, but will still blow around with lots of flow. With two MP10s in a shallow (12") tank I can't go higher than 50% without getting gullies down to the glass. This may not be a problem with a deeper tank, but FYI.

 

[shaginwagon13]

Thanks everyone for the help. I think I'm gonna go with the reef flakes. Now I just need to make a trip down to the lovely US of A to pick it up haha

 

[MBIETZ]

You could get star board and attach sand using expanding foam or something of that sort so it looks like sand but you will have all the great qualities of a bare bottom tank.

 

[FinnsSPS]

Tropic Eden reef flakes...put 2 bags in a 120...does a great job of keeping things stable.