Tropical Fish Forums
Aquarium fishkeeping around the world!
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FloridaBoy
Moderators
Joined: 04 Jul 2004
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 Posted: 2005.01.16(Sun)10:22 Post subject: |
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| TheVillageIdiot wrote: | Floridaboy,
So would you say for beginners (or even everyone) that if they're going w/ a sand substrate, to limit it to about an inch? Or is it better for them to just choose a crushed coral/shell substrate...? |
Lots of good/bad options, depends on what type of system/goal/bioload... in most of my own marine fish-only systems, I have always kept less than 1 inch of substrate. Our friend is absolutely correct, some wrasses will dive under the substrate at night so plan accordingly; for deeper beds there are some very efficient sleeper gobies (V. puellaris, V. strigata) that will do an excellent job of sifting and moving the bed for you, just make sure they are getting enough food down there. This would be a good option for those beginners who may not be experienced enough to handle a system with lots of inverts. Keep in mind, with regard to my previous comments; you may still end up with stagnant pockets under large rock/reef structures.
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Keepin' marines happy for 25 years |
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SLACkra
Advisors
Joined: 06 Feb 2003
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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| Posted: 2005.01.16(Sun)22:19 Post subject: |
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florida boy what is your opinion on getting sand from teh beach. in aus a lot of people seem to do this and some people also collect snails for there tank at the beach.
andrew |
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FloridaBoy
Moderators
Joined: 04 Jul 2004
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| Posted: 2005.01.20(Thu)4:49 Post subject: |
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| SLACkra wrote: | florida boy what is your opinion on getting sand from teh beach. in aus a lot of people seem to do this and some people also collect snails for there tank at the beach.
andrew |
My friend, I suppose it depends on the beach; you know many have a certain amount of pollution/chemical/metals, but in Australia I would imagine you have miles and miles of unspoiled areas so should be okay. Here in Florida there are certain beaches with silica and others with coquina a shell based material that can and is used in aquaria... but again, people drive on some beaches here so pollution/oil/fuels would be a problem. Many here are using a product from Home Depot called Southdown sand. I hope you are taking advantage of the diving over there... are you legally allowed to collect marine tropicals in your area? you have a wonderful local fauna; something many only dream about and few ever get to see.
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Keepin' marines happy for 25 years |
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SLACkra
Advisors
Joined: 06 Feb 2003
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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| Posted: 2005.01.20(Thu)5:35 Post subject: |
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I know people in the norther areas often take snails and hermits from teh beach. I know some people do catch a fish or two for there marine. there was a discustion about catching some cleaner wrasses off brisbane. the babbies at least and there are suposably heeps of them. I am going to learn how to dive asap! I made a deal with a guy to buy 30kg of coral sand and 20kg of live rock for 230 bucks. not a bad deal. should be enough for my 67g when I get it up. hes holding it for me at the moment.
andrew |
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MattTVI
Exemplars
Joined: 23 Nov 2004
Location: Woodstock, GA
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| Posted: 2005.01.20(Thu)7:25 Post subject: |
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it is illegal to take live coral from reefs in australia, right? what about live rock?
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65g Future Anemone Home |
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SLACkra
Advisors
Joined: 06 Feb 2003
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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| Posted: 2005.01.20(Thu)7:48 Post subject: |
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its illegal without a permit I know that. they do collect coral in some northern areas but those are shops with permits.
andrew |
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sirreal63
Advisors
Joined: 21 Feb 2004
Location: Meadowlakes, TX
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| Posted: 2006.11.19(Sun)0:10 Post subject: |
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A little update to this old thread. Many in the reef community have switched to bare bottom tanks. At first the results were great for SPS tanks, practically no nutrients in the system, good growth and clean water from heavy skimming. Many have discovered after some time that coral growth is limited and coloration isn't what it was prior to removing all the sand. General opinion is that SPS benefit from sand and the nutrients is does house. SPS corals do uptake minute amounts of various nutrients including the ones we try and remove, Nitrates and phosphates and ammonia. Removing them completely seems to be an issue.
I almost went bare bottom in the 125 but had 100 lbs of southdown that was loaded with pods and bristleworms and dentrivores and I didn't want to lose that. I am glad I did not toss the sand and it is shallow in most areas about 1-1/2 inches and seems to be the right amount. Keep your sand but don't put more than 1-2" of it.
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Jack
110 Gallon DSA Pentagon |
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