I'm in the planning stages for a new tank. It's a 72 gallon bowfront. I already have the tank, but have to reseal it and I am considering a radical approach to setting up this tank.
In my current tank I'm running a dsb (~3"), and I've had several problems with it. Mainly I get persistent cyano on the dsb - I've tried everything but it keeps coming back only on the sand, and yes, I've got good circulation there with a power head that just blows on the sand. My nutrients are low. I've about given up. It is also full of pests imported from a previous tank. I have removed at least one 19" fire worm (after he stung me! That smarts!) There are also numerous bristle worms and other pests although there are a lot less since I got my 6-line wrasse.
In the new tank I'm thinking of running with no sand or a very limited sand bed in only a small area of the tank to accomodate those creatures who need the sand. What is radical about the design is that I am thinking about tiling the bottom of the tank and the back wall with unsealed travertine tiles using marine grade silicone to adhere them. I also plan to make shelves on the back wall out of the tiles at various heights and in a staggered pattern to accomodate new frags and make variable stages for things that need more or less light. I also plan to have about half again the recommended amount of LR or a little more to make up for less sand.
I have already tested the use of travertine in my current tank and it works great. I boil it in salt water then soak it in fresh SW w/ a powerhead for a week before use doing a water change at day 3.
The travertine in my nano tank is starting to grow coraline algae and makes a great shelf for placing frags. The corals adhere to it right away. I have an encrusting monti and duncan on it. I use the very porous unfilled tiles. I prefer the 3x6 subway tiles aesthetically.
I know that the dsb helps with nitrates, but I'm not sure I'm getting enough out of it to make up for the hassle. I can clean tiles a lot easier than sand. Also, there is an added benefit in that if there is a rock slide the tiles take the impact not the glass bottom (hopefully).
Does anyone see a major problem with this approach?
Comments?
Suggestions?
I'm a relative newby to the hobby (~7 months) so chime in if you think this is a bad idea, but please say why.
Steve W
24 gal nano w/ 150w MH
In my current tank I'm running a dsb (~3"), and I've had several problems with it. Mainly I get persistent cyano on the dsb - I've tried everything but it keeps coming back only on the sand, and yes, I've got good circulation there with a power head that just blows on the sand. My nutrients are low. I've about given up. It is also full of pests imported from a previous tank. I have removed at least one 19" fire worm (after he stung me! That smarts!) There are also numerous bristle worms and other pests although there are a lot less since I got my 6-line wrasse.
In the new tank I'm thinking of running with no sand or a very limited sand bed in only a small area of the tank to accomodate those creatures who need the sand. What is radical about the design is that I am thinking about tiling the bottom of the tank and the back wall with unsealed travertine tiles using marine grade silicone to adhere them. I also plan to make shelves on the back wall out of the tiles at various heights and in a staggered pattern to accomodate new frags and make variable stages for things that need more or less light. I also plan to have about half again the recommended amount of LR or a little more to make up for less sand.
I have already tested the use of travertine in my current tank and it works great. I boil it in salt water then soak it in fresh SW w/ a powerhead for a week before use doing a water change at day 3.
The travertine in my nano tank is starting to grow coraline algae and makes a great shelf for placing frags. The corals adhere to it right away. I have an encrusting monti and duncan on it. I use the very porous unfilled tiles. I prefer the 3x6 subway tiles aesthetically.
I know that the dsb helps with nitrates, but I'm not sure I'm getting enough out of it to make up for the hassle. I can clean tiles a lot easier than sand. Also, there is an added benefit in that if there is a rock slide the tiles take the impact not the glass bottom (hopefully).
Does anyone see a major problem with this approach?
Comments?
Suggestions?
I'm a relative newby to the hobby (~7 months) so chime in if you think this is a bad idea, but please say why.
Steve W
24 gal nano w/ 150w MH
