help with substitute for dsb

[Chicago]

have large reef sps dominated tank... oriiginally used fine sand 3 inches on bottom of tank... for asthetics only.. large sump in basment with plenum...

i need to replace this fine sand. the sand was getting blown around during feeding time and during the day with the currents.

i have been siphonng it out over the past months... i need to replace it. i started to go for the rubble bottom thing... so fast currents in this rubble would simply keep the detirtus suspended...

problem is these larger 4 iche pieces are ok in the back. towards the fort and in the rock work nned to add something smaller..

need this to keep the rock work stable..

i was thinking about going with the puca shell ... but noticed some strange black peices in it.. i assume they are safe.

other sugggestions on cool substrate is appreciated.

thanks

 

[menard]

Jason, man just siphon all of that sand in the front were its getting hit the most and replace'em w/ encrusting corals softies/hard coral, does't matter what ever pleasing to your eye. or remove all the sand alltogether. That remote Plenum is more than enough to handle that tank. PEACE

 

[Chicago]

peace man... need to get this sand out off near the rock.. prblem is i need to do it slowly... mix in larger crushed coral and them siphon out.

other thought was to start just droping frags on the front bottom of the tank ...

 

[undertai]

have you looked at crushed coral as a replacement. I use in my sump for my mangroves. Be carefull when you first add it as with will affect your ph.

 

[ReeferMac]

I've had good luck using a mix of fine arragonite, crushed coral, and the pucca shell/reef rubble from CarribSea. All their products have done well by me, I just make it a point to rinse them in a bucket well, before adding (lots of dust).

- Mac

 

[Chicago]

that is the plan... .. need to get the fine stuff out... will siphon out after adding in the rest... i just need to cover the bottom.. dont want stuff to blow around and little detritus build up as possible

 

[alazo1]

If you're thinking on going bb you can anchor some of the rocks with epoxy.

 

[Chicago]

cant touch the rock set up... to much and already has many corals growing on them...

 

[Chicago]

i think the only way to go is to add some heavy or larger sand or rubble them siphoneout hte rest... will fill in as i siphone...