Need advice on substrate.

[antimatter]

I am getting ready to set up a 20g nano reef, and I have been reading different things about substrate. some say bare bottom, while others say deep sand bed and some say shallow. anybody have any input for me?

I am also wondering about live sand. Last time I set up my tank I bought live sand, but since then people have been saying that live sand is a waste of money and the sand will turn live because of the rock.

thanks everyone

 

[Almondsaz]

My personal preference is for a sand bottom and a relatively shallow sand bed - approx 3". You could purchase the aragonite Live Sand and not break the bank; think it is about $24 for a 15# bag. If you want, you have the option of just purchasing dry aragonite and letting your LR seed it - but you must have live rock not base rock. I believe the LS is worth the little bit more, especially becuase you are talking about your 20g tank.

It really is about personal preference. I use a sphereical aragonite becuase of the wrasses I keep and they bury themselves, so you need to understand you stocking plans to note if you should take that into consideration.

Hope this helps, good luck and please post pics! Can't wait to see your nano set up.

 

[antimatter]

thanks a lot for your quick reply Almondsaz! I am for sure going to put about 18-20 pounds of live rock and some base rock so it eventually turns live. I was kind of leaning towards a shallow bed anyway. I don't know exactly what I am going to stock the tank with. I am mainly doing it for the corals.

 

[Catpicklesdog]

I tried setting up my second tank with a bare bottom but I think I lasted a week before putting sand in. It just didn't look natural to me.

Like almondsaz said, it does also depend on what fish you're planning on putting in there. I'm glad I put sand in in the end as I got a goby and pistol pair!

 

[tanker]

Like everyone said---it depends on what kind of fish. I have only about 1/2 inch of sand in both of tanks.

DSB are a waste in a display tank---I would only use it in a refugy/sump or in a seperate container.

 

[snailrider]

Like everyone said---it depends on what kind of fish. I have only about 1/2 inch of sand in both of tanks.

DSB are a waste in a display tank---I would only use it in a refugy/sump or in a seperate container.

But my display is my refugium :grinyes:

 

[Ace25]

DSB are a waste in a display tank---I would only use it in a refugy/sump or in a seperate container.

I beg to differ, and so would my gobies and wrasses. 6" DSB in my display. My refugium couldn't accomodate a DSB and my goal for my tank has always been to be as compact as possible.

Sump/Refugium