Setting Up RR 180

[downbeach]

I have ordered an Oceanic Reef Ready 180 Gal. Tank and am trying to get all my ducks in a row before it gets here. I have bought into the EcoSystem philosophy using their "Miracle Mud" system without using a skimmer(although I see they offer a "Pro"series which incorporates same). My goal is to create as natural an eco system as possible. To that end I was also considering using a DSB using sugar fine substrate with all the necessary/natural "crew" that would be safe for my tank population(a fish/reef hybrid). After reading the imformation I received from EcoSystems I am now a little confused about the DSB. They claim it would be best without any substrate at all, claiming it would only be for asthetics and should not exceed 1".
Questions:
Has anyone had any experience with a similar system?
Would a 3" DSB be enough?
Should I use "live" sand or let it seed itself from the LR?
Any Recommended e-tailers for LR and LS?
I have other questions, but will limit this post to this one for now.

 

[hawaiianwargod]

downbeach
[welcome]

 

[Craig Lambert]

The single best thing you can do for your tank is to purchase a high quality skimmer imo. You won't find many people here running skimmerless. There are a few, but not many. I can't speak to their success, but I would imagine that a huge refugium would be needed.

 

[downbeach]

The EcoSystem 3616 is the sump/fuge that is recommended for tanks up to 240 Gal. That translates to about 44 Gal. I am currently using a Ramora Aqua C Skimmer and swear by it, but I do not use a sump as I have been using canisters for filtration. According to EcoSystem, "using a protein skimmer would "limit the benefits" of the Miracle Mud Filter as it would overskim the water including Phytoplankton and all the minerals and essential elements that the miracle mud releases". I intend to try this philosophy and closely monitor the effects. My hope is that I can create an all natural filtration system that will minimize my intervention.
My question really related to the use of a DSB along with the Miracle Mud system and if there might be a counter productive aspect to the two systems being used together.
I found a supplier of LR and Sand who suggested one pound of sand per gallon of water, in my tank that would be a 2" deep substrate which if all my reading serves me...doesn't qualify as a DSB(using the calculator on this site).
I do appreciate any and all thoughts and suggestions, so keep them coming.
Thanks for the reply.

 

[Craig Lambert]

For a dsb to be effective 4-6" is recommended. You do not need to purchase live sand. You can just get a cup or two from some other people's tanks to "seed" your own, or purchase a few pounds of it and spread it around the sandbed.

 

[downbeach]

Thanks for that, I wasn't going to spend the money to buy and ship that much sand. I was going to look for a good source of the right sized sand and buy an "activator" from either Indo-Pacific Sea Farms or Inland Aquatics. Do you know of a source for this type of aggregate? Home Depot, etc.