substrate

[tylfly]

What kind of substrate should Iuse for a 30 gallon aquarium? I know I should look for aragonite or crushed coral to help keep the Ph at a constant level, but do you have any other suggestions as to what I should look for? Also what price range do they usually fall into?

Tyler

[izzie]

Depends on what you are putting in your tank. For example sand sifting gobies need fine sand. So do rays, sharks and some other bottem dwelling species. Other then that its up to you. Some people dont even use a sand bed. For a price range. I would say around 2 bags for a 2-3" sand bed and for dead sand its around $30-$40 a bag and for live sand around $40-$60 a bad.
Izzie

[tylfly]

It's going to be a FOWLR, 2 clowns, flame hawkfish, 2 purple firefish, Yellow nose antenna goby (Stonogobiops Nematode).

[izzie]

I would go with a sugar sized live sand. You could do a dead sand but it will take longer to cycle.
Izzie

[Invigor]

DUDE! Black tahitian sand by caribsea! That would look DEADLY with the fish you're planning on having! And it'd be different than the norm. I'm more than likely going to switch to black sand if I ever have to move my tank again!

http://akamai.edeal.com/images/catalog3684/folder24579/img3040435.jpg

edit: and if you're concerned about it not being aragonite, and dissolving CaCO2 into the water...then what do the bare bottom guys use? I doubt they run a calcium/kalk reactor on their FOWLR!

[tylfly]

I didn't know you could get any other color than white. Now the question is where can I get some of that?
If you know where I can get some post it or PM me prices would be a bonus as well.

Thanks
Tyler

[Invigor]

I'll check petsmart and petland next time I'm there for you, otherwise you'll have to order it from a mail-order. Quinn (@ prairie reef supplies) should be able to get you some, I know he carries caribsea products.

[Jedi]

I have that black sand in my 72 gal, it looks pretty cool. It really brings out the colours in everything else. Only thing with it is it shows up alot of stuff such as crums off the live rock really stand out against it. Makes it look dirty, so it you are thinking of getting some make sure you have some good sand sifters.

[sphelps]

I swear that Black tahitian releases small amounts of phoshates, I wouldn't recomend it. I used it and I hated it after a while, the sand is too fine and imposible to keep clean. Caused nothing but problems for me.

I would go with any substrate made from real crushed coral and at least one size up from sugar sand. My personal favourate is Caribsea Select with a mixture of sand, shells, and smaller rocks. It has a very natural look, and is heavy enough to allow for thinner sand beds.

[CrazyFish]

I would have to agree with Steve, the Caribsea Select is a great combination.I dont know much about the Black tahitian sand but its coming from Caribsea its a great product, I wouldnt use any other brand.

[Salty Reefer]

The substrate issue looks like a mixed bag out there, but I believe it boils down to a combination of personal taste, inhabitant requirements and water movement. I prefer a bright and shallow natural sand as opposed to the black deep appearance. I have not read anything about the black substrate leaching phosphate. Has anyone else? I find the Carib-Sea substrate to be a great product.

[tylfly]

I was also wondering how deep my sand bed should be?

[sphelps]

I was also wondering how deep my sand bed should be?

I vote for as thin as possible, just enough to cover the glass (0.5 – 1 inch). Deeper sand beds are problematic, the only benefit to the DSB is denitrification which over time has proven ineffective and will actually result in the exact opposite as nutrients get stored in the sand bed then eventually start to leak out.

Trust me I know what happens when anaerobic bacteria and nitrogen gas is released rapidly into an aquarium from a DSB disturbance.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/DSC_0042.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/DSC_0041.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/DSC_0043.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/DSC_0047.jpg


Please no more :bawling:

[Rukus]

Im going just short of 1" here on my new tank, so im glad a vote is in for a shallower bed. I went deeper in my 20g, and although it was good, over time that 1inch above the trim on the front started to look pretty terrible.

[Salty Reefer]

I agree with a Shallow Sand Bed. One inch deep should be fine. Some go bare bottom, but it just does not look like a natural aquascape to me. Keep the substrate shallow and clean.

[izzie]

Check out reef central and search for a thread about a sand bed thats not really a sand bed. He used a 2 part epoxy mixed with some sand to make a sand bed and it acted exatly the same as bare bottem but looked like there was a sand bed. He could then vacum the sand and have pumps pointed right at it to stir up an detrius. It was a neat looking project.
Izzie

[tylfly]

OK, do any of you vendors carry the caribsea tahitian moon super natural substrate or can you order it in for me? Also would 1 20 lbs. bag be enough to cover a 30 gallon with 45 lbs. live rock or would 2 bags be a better idea?

[dustin]

I would go for two 20 pound bags. You may not use it all, but you can put some in your sump if you have one or get one and you can ensure you're happy with the depth. You may also be able to sell the excess.

Here's a calculator you may find useful:

http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/SandBed.php