substrate

[longchopper]

iam starting a new reef tank and getting ready to purchase the substrate the tank is a 150 gal i know that i would like to have a 4inch sand bed but need recomendation for the type of substate what is best

 

[jfloydr]

Dont use sand
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=292233
Just a suggestion

 

[bertoni]

[welcome]

I wrote up some notes on the topic:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=732378

 

[jfloydr]

I have BB and maintenance is no different IMO. Just siphon bottom when doing water changes.

 

[Fast Fred]

Another vote for bare-bottom. It may not be as pleasing to the eye, but then again, neither is hair algea.

 

[Z-ReefKeeper]

[welcome]
I think you should go with sand. Especially if you are going to stock the tank with certain goby's or other sand sifting fish.

 

[Desert Aquarium]

You will get lots of replies about whether or not to go sand, Bertoni's article about Substrates is great and definately a suggested read.

Once/if you decided not to go bare bottomed, the really, the only thing left is to find a substrate to use.

What I didn't pick up from Bertoni's article was that it is the size of the particulate matter that will the largest factor in substate choice. It is an accepted fact that the larger the "grain" the more problem you will likely face with NITRATES as they tend to be produced in the gaps in teh substrate. Whether you go light or dark, aragonite or black sand, or crushed coral, learn from my mistakes and choose a sugar sized grain.

Best of luck!