Substrate question

Bartman · #1 03-03-2006, 07:33 AM

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?

Bartman · #2 03-03-2006, 07:59 AM

Hi again,

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?

DanG · #3 03-03-2006, 01:19 PM

If you're going to go with 1" of substrate, then IMO, eggcrate is a good idea, that way your rocks aren't directly on the glass.
You could also go with a fake sandbed. Get a sheet of starboard, cover it with a thin layer of epoxy and cover it in sand. It gives the look of BB, without the sand to blow around.

mark · #4 03-03-2006, 02:33 PM

In the rush to set up my new tank did it BB (bare glass) and in my opinion and for my tank it looks the sh*ts. If going BB suggesting to go either faux sand or starboard type stuff. Also don't forget by going BB can't get that neat shrimp/gobie pair.

My plan was alway to place in a 1" sugar size bed and have a remote DSB in the sump or refuge and this is still in the works.

On my first tank did similar to what your suggesting, eggcrate platforms for the rock and back fill with sand. Seemed to work well and considering the DSB was in the display, it saved me from burying 4-5" of rock.

Aquattro · #5 03-03-2006, 02:45 PM

I set up my 75 as a BB and I love it. I took a bit to get used to, but after you get some coralline growing and fill the tank in a bit, it looks fine. The amount of crud I am able to siphon off the bottom glass weekly is enough to convince me to never use a sand bed again.

Beverly · #6 03-03-2006, 02:52 PM

I fully agree with everything Brad said. Took some getting used to, but siphon out so much crud weekly, that I could not go back to having all that crud accumulate in my tanks indefinitely.

mr_alberta · #7 03-03-2006, 03:03 PM

I actually like the ultra clean look of rock on glass. I used to have starboard in my previous tank but found that I would get crud stuck between the bottom of the starboard and the glass.

I do recommend starboad though (especially white). It makes the tank so much brighter. Also, a lot of people still think its sand. I've had a few reefers ask me how I keep my sand so flat before!

Bartman · #8 03-03-2006, 05:20 PM

Where's a good place to look at starboard? Does Home Depot or Rona carry it?

mr_alberta · #9 03-03-2006, 05:27 PM

How large of a piece are you looking for? Most plastics shops sell it (called HDPE - High Density PolyEthylene). Its exactly the same thing as plastic cutting board.

Beverly · #10 03-03-2006, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_alberta

I used to have starboard in my previous tank but found that I would get crud stuck between the bottom of the starboard and the glass.

To prevent crud from getting under the starboard, is there some way to seal the edges of the starboard to the sides of the tank?