substrate

[digitalsteve]

hey guys , i have a 10 gallon nano reef going and i am not really happy with the sand bed , i think it might be too fine . every time i add something in there i notice a lot of particles floating around for awhile. would you recommend going barebottom or some other substrate to use instead. i like the look of the sand but it is just proving to be a headache. and if i change it or get rid of it , what is the easiest way without totally dismantling my tank and moving livestock and all that crap

[Tarolisol]

If you like the look of sand what you could do is get a piece of somthing like acrylic or starboard to cover the bottom apply a layer of epoxy or somthing and pour sand over the glue and then let it try blow of the remaing sand and you left with a sand bed that doesnt move.

[digitalsteve]

good idea, but then i have to tear everything down , is there a heavier sand or substrate that filters and havs the same beneficial properties as sand?

[Tarolisol]

you could used crushed corals, its a little bigger then sugar sized i have it in one of my tanks, whiter then argonite.

[digitalsteve]

does it provided the same functionality as sand ie filtering and such , and if i were to switch it up , would i need time for my tank to cycle and all that , if it is toomuch of a hassle i will pass and just try nd get some cleaner guys to clean up my sand bed

[Tarolisol]

Im not sure if it offers the same kind of biological filtration as sand as it is a bit larger you will have to wait for more people to chime in here, crushed coral comes in many sizes from very large to a little bigger the sand. In mine i see little creatures living in it so maybe it does do the same stuff as regular sand, but dont quote me on that. I know it takes alot for my power heads to blow that stuff around.

[digitalsteve]

does it take long to settle after you added it to thte tank ?what would i be looking at for wait time till i could add my lr and frags and fish back into the system. i can use the existing water out of my tank now if need be

[Tarolisol]

I dont ever remember haveing a sandstorm when i add mine, mine was wet when i added it.

[digitalsteve]

i found a product at jl for a replacement i noticed they use it at hidden reef for there frag tanks it looks pretty good . if i change the substrate , i will move my livestock and liverock into buckets with filers and heaters running but do i need to wait any length of time for the tank to cycle or once i add my new substrate can i place the rock and livestock back in ? the product i am going to use is reef base marine by redsea.

[Tarolisol]

Theres a topic about the substrate changing in the reef forum i belive.