Please help me choose substrate

[eugeneK]

I'll be running a remote DSB so if I put substrate in the tank then it would be purely for aesthetic purposes

what would you do? :spin1:

1. Bare Bottom
2. Fine Aragonite
3. Finely Crushed Coral

 

[dreaminmel]

My personal preference would be fine sand and if not that, no substrate at all. All depends on what kind of flow you have.

 

[eugeneK]

Gonna be SPS, so lots of flow. Most likely maxi-mods or Koralias on each side

 

[dreaminmel]

Fine sand may be tricky then... I've got a ton of flow in my tank and am trying to get it adjusted so that the sand does not get blown all over the place. I switched over to fine sand because the larger substrate material allowed too much gunk to accumulate in my sand bed and caused issues.

 

[jfl14609]

I would say either fine sand or bare bottom depends on how much maint you want to do

 

[xpxdx]

not sure what category this falls in, but caribsea special grade reef sand. doesn't blow around, and looks great!!!

 

[aquadonkey]

What kind of fish are you planning to have? Some like to burrow....

 

[tropills]

Fine sand may be tricky then... I've got a ton of flow in my tank and am trying to get it adjusted so that the sand does not get blown all over the place. I switched over to fine sand because the larger substrate material allowed too much gunk to accumulate in my sand bed and caused issues.

hate to say it, but I told ya so. but it will look sweet once you get it adjusted.

 

[drparker]

not sure what category this falls in, but caribsea special grade reef sand. doesn't blow around, and looks great!!!

I picked other for this sand, I've fine sand in my 75g and it blows around easily so I'm going with this in my 120g.

 

[dreaminmel]

hate to say it, but I told ya so. but it will look sweet once you get it adjusted.

You sure did Greg. Definately looks sweet though. Thanks again.

 

[jfl14609]

hate to say it, but I told ya so. but it will look sweet once you get it adjusted.

why didnt you warn me haha

 

[evsalty]

The special grade is a great substrate and is all I will ever use.

 

[Landolakes]

Starboard on the bottom will cover that fugly brace.

 

[Conesus_Kid]

not sure what category this falls in, but caribsea special grade reef sand. doesn't blow around, and looks great!!!

x2

 

[block head]

i like the very fine oolitic sand. it's round shape helps it roll in place. yes it will blow around if disturbed. but it looks great, and stays put for the most part if u don't mess with it.

 

[eugeneK]

i like the very fine oolitic sand. it's round shape helps it roll in place. yes it will blow around if disturbed. but it looks great, and stays put for the most part if u don't mess with it.

Like this?

 

[frofan]

I have a DSB with sugar fine oolite and would not recommend it for a high flow tank. If I had it to do over again I would use the special reef blend. It is just slightly larger than oolite. The oolite is constantly stirring up into a sand storm.

 

[Neoz]

That sand is from Marco rocks correct? If it is that is what I have in my 180 tank. It looks great and stays white and clean for the most part. But for a high flow tank I wouldn't recommended it. I run a vortech and I'm still trying to not have it blow all around. I plan on switching mine out and going with the caribsea special grade reef sand as well.

Good Luck in your adventures.

 

[revclyburn]

I did my DSB the Old School way, Berlin. Crushed coral, eggcrate, fiberglass screen, and sand. And never had a issue with it. Many people say that it would be a detritus magnet, but it, IMO, never was. Anyone else doing it old school style?

Edwin

 

[tmz]

I like a thin coat of oolictic sugar fine sand for a beachy look. There are deeper puddles of it for wrasses that like to bury themselves to sleep. Maintenance by seacumber, a few nasaruius snails and a yellowheaded headed goby(valencia struigata) is easy.

Flow is high in some of my tanks; it can be directed to avoid blowing the sand about. The goby hhowever, will shower the corals with sand from time to time. Blowing them off with a turkey baster when needed helps. Guess nothing is perfect.