Substrate question

[Fire Dude]

Hi All,

I'm getting ready to setup my new 75G and I'm trying to decide what to do about substrate. I like the idea of a BB tank but I'm not sure I like the look. I was thinking of going with a 1" base but I'm wondering if it will just be a detritus trap (easy to collect debris and not deep enough to process it properly). Also, If I do this I'm wondering what size substrate to get. My return probably provides about 700gph to the top of the tank and my Tunze has about 1100gph at it's highest speed. I'd like to go with the smallest stuff that won't get blown around. Any suggestions?

What I was thinking of doing is putting eggcrate on the bottom, as a base for my rock, and then putting the 1" substrate in to cover it. Does that make sense?

 

[mg426]

I am not sure about the eggcrate. I dont know if it would hinder any critters that would be living in the sand. as for substrate 1 or 2 inches looks better in the main tank than a 6 inch DSB. You can always use the DSB in a sump/refugim so you dont have to look at it and would help with nitrate export.

 

[Fire Dude]

Any thoughts on substrate size?

 

[Reef'in Colorado]

oolitic or sugar sized sand is best for critters to live in

 

[lbear]

I have same question. I kept reading threads and did lots of google searches. I got more and more confused about the substrate thing. Just want to bump this thread.

 

[Serioussnaps]

If you like the aesthetic look and dont want a deitrus trap, go with CaribSea(the brand) sugar fine "OOLITIC" sand, it is so fine it doesnt produce areas for deitrus to get trapped. The deitrus just sits atop of mine and i vacuum it out in weekly water changes and i have a natural rather than industrial looking biotope.

 

[Serioussnaps]

I second mg426, use the DSB in the fuge. If you dont have a fuge and ur starting your tank, get one now!!!!!!!!!! Will solve many future problems before they happen and save you many headaches.

 

[NCreefwannabe]

using the eggcrate is what I did. It wont hinder anything since its not very tall. Its a perfect base for the rock to be on instead of the glass. just be sure to cut it like an inch short of all the edges so its not touching the silicon seals.

 

[Fire Dude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6874685#post6874685 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Serioussnaps
If you like the aesthetic look and dont want a deitrus trap, go with CaribSea(the brand) sugar fine "OOLITIC" sand, it is so fine it doesnt produce areas for deitrus to get trapped. The deitrus just sits atop of mine and i vacuum it out in weekly water changes and i have a natural rather than industrial looking biotope.

Are you able to vacuum it without sucking the fine sand out? Also, would tank flow blow it around? I'll have about 1600gph in my 75G.

 

[dicjones]

I currently have a 75 gallon with crushed coral and I am planning on going BB soon. I've been reading these forums and it seems that starboard is the way to go with BB. It looks nice and will protect the bottom glass from rock slides should you have any.

The botttom line with substrate is you can argue until you are blue about advantages and disadvantages, just go with what YOU like.

 

[Alaskan Reefer]

Agree with dicjones -- go with what you like. I like a medium sand like Carib Sea Reef Sand -- allows me to siphon clean without taking any sand out. It does collect detritus slowly (I have pretty strong flow), but that doesn't bother me since I clean it. Just personal preference -- get what you like and maintain accordingly.

 

[landscapen]

it has been a while but there was a sand that home depot was selling i used that and the seed ed with some live sand from a few different places and it worked great for me cheap too

 

[The Reefer91]

you're thinking of southdown sand landscapen. my strategy will be to only use sand where rock isn't covering, so it doesn't get stuck between the rock and sand. and the rock will be suspended on eggcrate with PVC pipe. when it comes down to it, it's a matter of prefrence. i'm doing a DSB in my 40g fuge so i get the benifits.