Substrate wars

[BigBarnacles]

Im getting ready to decide which type of substrate to lay down in my soon to be 75 gal reef aquarium and I'm looking for feedback.
1. Dry sand or live sand?
2. Preferred brand
3. Grain size (0.1-2.0mm)
4. Depth of bed (2-5 in)
5. Did you put in your rock or sand first?

 

[BigKev23]

Check out the Tropic Eden Reef Flakes... you can order it at Premium Aquatics. Used it on my new tank and am very pleased. It is dry sand and comes in 30lb bags. Cleanest sand I have ever used.

 

[DragonWarriorPo]

Research barebottom

 

[BigBarnacles]

Research barebottom

I have, and regardless the benefits I had to eliminate it from consideration. The wife made a large contribution to the reef fund under the condition I have sand, goby, and pistol shrimp. Plus other things could be withheld if the conditions are not met...

 

[BigBarnacles]

Check out the Tropic Eden Reef Flakes... you can order it at Premium Aquatics. Used it on my new tank and am very pleased. It is dry sand and comes in 30lb bags. Cleanest sand I have ever used.

Thanks, I'll take a look. Anyone else out there with suggestions? The more the better.

 

[Pigpen80]

tagging along, in the same boat

 

[Captmrbles]

Rockwork and sand

Rockwork and sand

Most people put rock work in first and create the sea scape prior to putting in sand. Sand will move and shift over time, which will promote rockwork moving, if it is sitting on top of the sand it will be more likely to tumble over or shift later. Another objective for planting your rockwork on the glass is to try and set up the tank so there are less places for debree to get trapped. Whatever sand you end up deciding on make sure to wash it first before putting it in your tank.

Generally the larger grain sand is easier to maintain because it is harder for it to get in the watter column. Smaller grain sand is seen as more attractive (personal preference)... for me the additional task of blowing off rocks and corals (which I would probably do anyway if I didnt have small grain sand) is worth the beauty. Also consider if you will have creatures that will dig, they will make more of a mess with smaller grain sand.

 

[aussie_chicago]

Most people put rock work in first and create the sea scape prior to putting in sand. Sand will move and shift over time, which will promote rockwork moving, if it is sitting on top of the sand it will be more likely to tumble over or shift later. Another objective for planting your rockwork on the glass is to try and set up the tank so there are less places for debree to get trapped. Whatever sand you end up deciding on make sure to wash it first before putting it in your tank.

Generally the larger grain sand is easier to maintain because it is harder for it to get in the watter column. Smaller grain sand is seen as more attractive (personal preference)... for me the additional task of blowing off rocks and corals (which I would probably do anyway if I didnt have small grain sand) is worth the beauty. Also consider if you will have creatures that will dig, they will make more of a mess with smaller grain sand.

+1.... place your rockwork in first, then the sand. Eventually as part of your cleanup crew, you will have sand sifters that could demolish a rock sculpter thats not sitting directly on the bottom of the tank. I also prefer the finer grain sand, I used dry sand (dont waste your time with "live sand in bags" , its most likely dead anyway) and also mixed in some fiji pink fine sand, gives the sand bed a little pink shimmer but not enough to make it look unatural. Wash all your sand thoroughly in buckets first. Also, are you considering a deep sand bed, shallow ? ie how many inches of sand. I went with deep, but do your research, and get a cup or two of live sand from somebody elses established tank to seed your new tank :beachbum:

 

[BigBarnacles]

Alright, rock work in first then sand. I've researched sand beds and decided to go deep in my fuge and 2-3 in my display. The wife wants gobys and pistol shrimp...so I'm avoiding a deep bed in the display as these critters will disturb it a lot. So maybe a 1.0-1.5 mm max sand to avoid too much getting blown around?

 

[saleenpwr88]

I definately like to put the sand in first, then the rock. I like the rock resting on the sand rather then the glass since it just seems less likely for it to crack if something falls (probably wouldn't ever happen but...).
And then for the sand I think it depends on what kind of flow you will have in the tank. If you are going to have high flow you'll need a larger grain sand so it doesn't blow around as much. But if you are going with low flow you can get a smaller grain sand and then it's just a matter of what you thinks look better. I personally like Carib Special Reef Grade sand (it's called something like that). It's a larger grain sand so you can have higher flow but still looks nice.

 

[Pigpen80]

Not trying to hijack the thread but:

Aussie, what is a good dry sand?

BigB, what size/style sump are you running?

 

[BigBarnacles]

Not trying to hijack the thread but:

Aussie, what is a good dry sand?

BigB, what size/style sump are you running?

I'll be running a Trigger Systems 3 stage (w/refugium). Haven't picked the size yet as I'm waiting for my custom stand delivery so I can measure the inner dimensions.

 

[faisal629]

I definately like to put the sand in first, then the rock. I like the rock resting on the sand rather then the glass since it just seems less likely for it to crack if something falls (probably wouldn't ever happen but...).
And then for the sand I think it depends on what kind of flow you will have in the tank. If you are going to have high flow you'll need a larger grain sand so it doesn't blow around as much. But if you are going with low flow you can get a smaller grain sand and then it's just a matter of what you thinks look better. I personally like Carib Special Reef Grade sand (it's called something like that). It's a larger grain sand so you can have higher flow but still looks nice.

you lay out egg crate then pile up your rock so it does not slip and even if it falls the egg crate absorbs the impact and glass wont break, most bottoms are tampered anyways,
1. lay out egg crate
2. add rock
3. add substrate
4. add H2O

 

[BigBarnacles]

I've seen people with pics of that plastic looking egg crate. Where do you get it at?

 

[faisal629]

I've seen people with pics of that plastic looking egg crate. Where do you get it at?

home depot, lowes, menards, walmart, any hardware store.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...053&langId=-1&keyword=egg+crate&storeId=10051
they sell it single as well.

 

[BigBarnacles]

home depot, lowes, menards, walmart, any hardware store.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...053&langId=-1&keyword=egg+crate&storeId=10051
they sell it single as well.

Cool, I'd imagine you only want it under the rocks and not covering the entire bottom.

 

[faisal629]

I gave my whole tank a bottom layer of egg crate just in case some rock falls it would be safe no matter where it fell, its only .25" thick so you cant notice or see it after you add sand.

 

[jackde]

Egg crate can be found at any home improvment store. Look in the ceiling dept. I think it keeps the rocks from sliding on the slippery glass bottom.

 

[BigBarnacles]

I gave my whole tank a bottom layer of egg crate just in case some rock falls it would be safe no matter where it fell, its only .25" thick so you cant notice or see it after you add sand.

Not sure if I like the egg crate idea...I'll have to do some more research. I'll be gluing/epoxying my rock together. Plus I'm shooting for the light, very porous Marco rock. I'm more worried about little critters burrowing underneath and shifting the rocks.

 

[BigKev23]

I've always put sand down first and then did the rock. Have never used eggcrate under everything and have never had a problem with rock moving.