Substrate questions 2/18/06 Two quick questions. My current substrate is fairly course (CaribSea Aragonite 5-10mm, 1" to 1.5" in depth) and I would like to replace it with a fine sand (Seaflor Aragonite reef sand, 1" to 1.5"), how would I go about this? <If the bed is fairly new and not supporting much life, I would just add the fine substrate and let it fill in the spaces in the coarse.  If it is older and has a lot of life but not a lot of detritus, I would do the same, but slowly enough (1/4" per day) to allow the life to rise to the surface.  If it is older and has a lot of detritus and not much life, I would vacuum it aggressively and then fill in with fine.  Removal of the old substrate is not really necessary in my opinion.> Second, do you recommend letting your rock rest on the substrate or being suspended above it? Thanks <I am a big fan of placing pillar in the substrate (I use 3" PVC rings cut to a length slightly longer than the depth of the bed).  It improves water movement, reduces dead spaces, allows critters to roam more freely and provides more surface area for biological activity.  Best Regards.  AdamC.>

Substrate question part 2 2/20/06 Won't the fine sand eventually fall to the bottom? My substrate is about 2.5 months old. <Yup, it will.  That is exactly the idea.  As it settles to the bottom, keep adding it until it covers the existing substrate.  Once all of the spaces are filled with fine sand, you will have a deep fine sand bed that happens to have a lot of larger particles in it.  It will function fine and will require much less sand to create the desired depth.  Best Regards.  AdamC.>

Substrate Question part 3 3/7/06 How deep would you go? Would 3" - 4" be sufficient? <<Sorry for the slow reply!  Yes.  3-4" is ideal for deep fine sand beds.  AdamC.>> Substrate Question part 4 3/9/06 Would it matter that half the bed would be very course sand - 5-10mm ? <<Doesn't matter at all.  In fact, I prefer some larger grained material in a DSB to help prevent it from blowing around as much.  It also benefits burrowing critters by preventing cave-ins.  Best Regards.  AdamC.>

LS and white sand mix 01-11-06 Hi WWM, <AngeloM3> Just about to start the cycling for my 55gal tank.  I have 40lbs of LS and 20lbs of white sand, with about 30lbs of dead LR going in for the cycling. After its done the cycle I will add about 20lbs of Cured LR.   <Do not wait for the cycle to end to add your live rock or your will start another cycle.> I do plan on getting 2 Lawnmower Blennies and various inverts (plus about 4 fish and 1 anemone). Couple of questions about cycling and the sand layers........... Since I'll have the blennies and inverts that will be sifting the sand, how should I layer the sand?  White sand on the bottom with LS on top? Or visa versa?   <It doesn't matter as it will not stay in layers.> Also a grate was included with my tank that covers the entire bottom of my tank (but is removable) what is this for and do I need it?   <Get rid of it. It will hinder your deep sandbed critter from doing their job.> During the cycling period.... how often and what percentage of water should I be changing? <<Depends on measured water quality... RMF>> <None. Good luck and make sure to use this cycling time to research your future animals. Travis> Thanks for your help -AngeloM3

Keeping Sand In Place Hi, <Hi there! Scott F. with you today!> I'm setting up a new reef tank to replace my old 55gal. This one is 120gal AGA which I had drilled on the back wall to install both the internal overflow as described in Anthony's book and the return manifold. <Very nice!> I have a few bags of fine Southdown tropical play sand that I will use for the DSB. (It says on the bags that the sand is sterilized. Do you think that I should wash it before I put it in?). <Opinions vary about this, but I would at least soak the stuff for a while before using it> I just read the latest article Tank of the Month (4/2004) article on RC and I think that I would like the look of the substrate gradually sloping down from back to front. In case you have not read it, I would like to have the DSB to gradually slope from about 6 inches at the back to about 4 inches at the front of the tank. <It's certainly not a problem to do this, in my experience, and it looks nice, too.> To prevent the sand from settling down that over time would make it level, I would like to glue in a glass divider (about 35"x5", the tank bottom is 48"x24") to the bottom of the tank parallel to the back/front wall, and about 10 inches away from the back wall. <Nifty> Do you think that this could have negative impact on the integrity of the tank? <Good question. I'm not 100% sure about that. I'd consult the manufacturer of the tank, just to be sure. Maybe you'd be better off just using egg crate and some screen for this purpose, just to be on the safe side?> Would you glue it just at the ends of the glass divider or along the whole length? Thanks. Petr <I would probably go the whole length for stability. This is a neat idea- but I do implore you to consult the tank manufacturer, just to be sure, whenever you are gluing things to the tank structure itself. Good luck! Regards, Scott F.>

Sand Mixture Hey, <Hello, Ryan here>         Almost forgot, I'm  going to mix my 3" sand bed in the tank and in the sump, 50/50 live/ regular Caribbean clean washed sand, should I put the live on top of the regular, or actually mix it together. <I would put the live on one side, the clean on the other.  Then, take a few handfuls of the live stuff and put it in each corner with the clean.  You don't want to smother the live, and you don't want to mix the two.  3 inches isn't an ideal thickness for a DSB, it's too thin.  It's also too thick for a simple sandbed.  I would either add 2 inches, or remove 2.  Good luck, read up: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/deepsandbeds.htm>                   Thanks Again, Louie

Switching to a Sand Bed Hello, I have read through so much on your site and I am still in search for my answer. Great site though. I am wanting to switch from crushed coral to a sand bed. I am currently using crushed coral and an undergravel filter. I have read that you can put a screen on the crushed coral and put sand on top. <A truly horrible idea. I have seen it done once with disastrous results.> I want to completely remove the crushed coral <Yes, much better to start from scratch and build/create a DSB versus converting an UG into a sand bed.> but I am unsure of how to set up my power heads to create water movement. <Many models have clips that allow them to hang from the tank trim. Other use suction cups to cling to the glass, not as good.> I will not be able to use the tubes they are currently in because they will suck the sand up. Do I get rid of the power heads and is there something else to use for this? <If you have a sump, you can use a larger return pump. If not, you may want to consider adding one with your DSB project.> Any suggestions will help. <Do you have a quarantine tank? Can you relocate your fish to that tank? Getting rid of the UG is going to take sometime to develop a different source of nitrifying bacteria. Much to think about, discuss here. Do read as much as possible about where you want your tank to go, what direction, FOWLR, reef, etc.> Also I have seen DIY sites that run pvc pipe under the sand bed. What is the reason of this and would it be beneficial to do so? <Some use PVC in creating a plenum, as in Dr. Jaubert's methodology.> Thanks, Jass <You are welcome. -Steven Pro>

Switching to a Sand Bed II Thanks for the fast response. <You are welcome.> I am heading towards a reef aquarium. I once had quite a bit of corals but an unfortunate accident happened and killed all of them along with most of my fish. <Sorry to hear about that.> At the moment, the only coral I have is a frogspawn. I am waiting to add anymore till after my switch to the live sand. I don't have a sump right now but I would like to add one soon. My tank is a 50 gallon and I also have a 40 that is not in use at this time. I plan to move everything to the 40 while I convert. <Good plan. Do establish some biological filtration that is easily movable, a canister filter if you have one or simple sponge filters work well.> The power heads I have are the suction cup type. My concerns were that without the tubing could this suck a fish or anything to it. <A simple trick is to put a Bioball onto the intake. This acts as an extra screen to keep small fish and snails out of harms way.> Sounds like I just need to get rid of this suction cup type and get something else. <See if you cannot make these work for your application first. I hate to waste stuff. Even using the suction cups and plastic wire ties to keep the pump from falling down and blowing sand all of the place would work. -Steven Pro> Thanks

Advice needed (marine substrates) Hello guys, <Hello> Let me start this off with the obligatory "Thank you ever so much" for the resources your team makes available for us hobbyists struggling to make a nice home for our pets. Without the dedication and information you provide, there would be much more people turning away from the hobby. I'm also a big fan of CMA. Looking forward to more publications! <Me too> Now to the bones of my question, I'm in the process of setting up a 46 gallon reef. I've tried many approaches in the past 15 years, and have decided to stick with what I have had great success in - good rock, good sandbed, and careful feeding. <All good inputs> My question is this: I've just purchased equal portions of oolithic and special reef substrate from CaribSea (60lbs total). My plans are to keep the special up front on top of a 1" layer of the oolith, and around the base of the live rock, and to build up the oolitic sand toward the back. Reason for this, I'm hoping to allow detritus to be swept out of the back area and to settle up front in the coarser aragonite. I'm thinking this will be much easier to clean minor build-ups and allow a place for the tiny zooplankton to settle in and work on the material. I'm not too sure what the final depth will be, but I'm aiming for 3" and the tank will be lightly stocked and fed, with brisk water movement and as much live rock off the bottom as possible. Eventually, as money permits, I will also be going with a sump/refugium. <All right> What concerns or problems going with this should I be aware of down the road? Would it be better just to put all the oolitic on the bottom with special on top? I do like the way the finer sand "shimmers" when on the surface, but am willing to compromise for the sake of the tenants. (Eventually to become a home for a pygmy flame angel, a hippo tang, a Jawfish, some cleaner shrimp, and a few other candidates I'm still researching) Your assistance is greatly appreciated, and a big thanks in advance! Sincerely, Mike from Texas. <Well... Anthony and Steven would/will assuredly answer differently. I say to go ahead with your plan above as you state it... and see how all develops... there are many "different" experiences with mixing grades of marine substrates, sloping them... mainly a mixing in time, settling to one overall level... some chance of anaerobic challenges (not much IMO/E)... Again, I say dang the torpedoes, full-speed ahead... But will leave your message here for the boys response as well. Be chatting, Bob Fenner>

Advice needed (Steve's input) Hello guys, <Steven Pro this afternoon.> Let me start this off with the obligatory "Thank you ever so much" for the resources your team makes available for us hobbyists struggling to make a nice home for our pets. Without the dedication and information you provide, there would be much more people turning away from the hobby. I'm also a big fan of CMA. Looking forward to more publications! <Glad to hear it.> Now to the bones of my question, I'm in the process of setting up a 46 gallon reef. I've tried many approaches in the past 15 years, and have decided to stick with what I have had great success in - good rock, good sandbed, and careful feeding. <All good ideas.> My question is this: I've just purchased equal portions of oolitic and special reef substrate from CaribSea (60lbs total). My plans are to keep the special up front on top of a 1" layer of the oolitic, and around the base of the live rock, and to build up the oolitic sand toward the back. Reason for this, I'm hoping to allow detritus to be swept out of the back area and to settle up front in the coarser aragonite. I'm thinking this will be much easier to clean minor build-ups and allow a place for the tiny zooplankton to settle in and work on the material. I'm not too sure what the final depth will be, but I'm aiming for 3" and the tank will be lightly stocked and fed, with brisk water movement and as much live rock off the bottom as possible. Eventually, as money permits, I will also be going with a sump/refugium. What concerns or problems going with this should I be aware of down the road? <I have the special reef grade sand in my current 55 gallon reef and do not plan to use it again in the future. I have had a difficult time getting a lot of critters to live in it. I think it is a little too coarse for most. Also, it traps too much detritus.> Would it be better just to put all the oolitic on the bottom with special on top? <The reverse would be better.> I do like the way the finer sand "shimmers" when on the surface, but am willing to compromise for the sake of the tenants. (Eventually to become a home for a pygmy flame angel, a hippo tang, a Jawfish, some cleaner shrimp, and a few other candidates I'm still researching) <I would probably mix the two together and get more oolithic sand to make at least four inches of uniform depth.> Your assistance is greatly appreciated, and a big thanks in advance! Sincerely, Mike from Texas. <You are welcome. -Steven Pro>

Re: Advice needed (marine substrates) Perhaps "building up" was an improper choice of words on my part, my apologies. See if the attached picture makes what I'm trying to convey clearer. I'm aiming for a completely flat bed with even depth, and "sloping" the mixture of the two grades. The proportions in the picture aren't, of course, exact. I am thinking about using more reef special than sand overall. Thanks again for the knowledgeable input! Mike <I understand better what you wish to do, but I still would not do it. Sorry, but it is better not to trap detritus in the sand at all if possible. Far better to remove from the system by keeping in suspension with vigorous circulation, no dead spots or areas for settlement, and various methods of filtration. -Steven Pro>

Re: Advice needed Excellent points, Steven - Thanks! <I have the special reef grade sand in my current 55 gallon reef and do not plan to use it again in the future. I have had a difficult time getting a lot of critters to live in it. I think it is a little too coarse for most. Also, it traps too much detritus.> I have noticed that most worm life in my previous setup (especially the nest of spaghetti worms) seemed to prefer living in the finer sand, but the amphipods and copepods readily infested the coarser areas. <<Yes, this is true. Most of my pods are on/in the liverock.>> As for the detritus, I was hoping in by keeping the special up front, to concentrate and slowly siphon it off during normal maintenance. <<Better for it not to be able to get trapped at all and end up staying in suspension and caught in various filters.>> <I would probably mix the two together and get more oolithic sand to make at least four inches of uniform depth.> I am considering this, however I do want to provide as many distinct areas of substrate to accommodate different organisms. Will equal parts of mixing the two be a hindrance in keeping a flourishing supply of 'pods and complicate a jawfish's efforts to build a burrow? <<I would not use equal parts. I would put an emphasis on the fine sand to fill in between the large particle size sand.> I'm thinking the finer sand will just infuriate him by collapsing. <<The large parts mixed in should give him a good consistency to work with.>> That was another reason I had for moving the bulk of special up front so I can more easily keep an eye on him. <<Our pets have a mind of their own. You can encourage him to do certain things, but do not get too bummed out when he does the opposite.>> Again, thanks for all the great input! Your fan, Mike <Wow, a fan! Thank you very much! -Steven Pro>

I was born to Rubble What a great crew. You have one of the best jobs in the world. <Yes, agreed... does not feel like a job at all> You didn't drive to/from Dallas did you? Damn, if you did and I had known, I  would have asked you to pick up my fish tank I have in storage there. :) <Ha! Did drive... and would have picked up (was some 400 pounds lighter on the return> Sigh. What did you leave in Dallas? <Four hundred pounds of Korallith, some calcium reactors and books mainly> When you have time, if you can dig around for pictures that show the Firefish  environment I would love to see them! <Mmm, good question... maybe I can use your request as a springboard for a column...> Oooh, a rubble zone article -- yes, yes, yes!!! <Call me Barney (Rubble!)> Okay, here are some questions: How deep should the rubble be? Should it be just a single layer, or towards the back of the tank should rubble be put on top of each other for several layers? <Large, chunky bits on top... finer materials down first> Do different soft corals grow near each other there or is it rather sparse? <Mixed... some species near, most are spaced a width of a colony apart or more> If only one softie should be included, should it be only one coral that is allowed to grow huge, or should it get fragged and put in several different spots in the tank? <Depends... on what you want to do (culture, cuttings), but do start all smallish, spaced apart> Should the softie (colt, finger, toad stool, whichever it is) be on a bigger piece of live rock, or should it be on the very bottom of the tank, getting a foot hold in the rubble? <Species dependent as well as what you want to look at.> Okay, if I read correctly last night, you think an inch or two of sand covered with rubble would not cause Cyano or algae. Wouldn't it be a nutrient trap because debris would get caught and then decay in the sand rubble? <Not much... in a vivacious growing system, there is little nutrient to uptake> You could always try staying up all night and then all day... <Too old... have memories that used to be able to when I was a pup... but  probably just dreamed that bit up. Bob F> I know I could do that ten years ago! MM <Ha! Make that your age back for me. Bob>

Substrate Hi Bob, Steve, and Anthony, I've been looking over the FAQ's on substrate and somewhat confused still. I am building a reef tank. I'll eventually be getting live rock among fish and corals. I just recently bought and placed CaribSea Aragonite Special Grade Reef Sand (1-2mm in size ) inside the tank about 2" deep (44 gal corner...no water yet inside). I did read from Steve(?) that he had this substrate and was not happy. <Yes, it was I that wrote I have that sand and am not happy with it.> My question is this, just short of buying something else, how deep should this be exactly. I've read from 1/2" up to 4". I'm worried about the toxic pockets that may be produced if there is too little or not enough of aragonite. I also read about placing a screen mesh over a portion with another layer on top. <This is probably your best option. Use fiberglass screen for windows from a hardware store. On top of that, I would add another 2" of very fine grade sand.> Not too familiar with that nor what that does exactly. <The fine grade of sand is better for critters to live. Having inoculated my sand over a half dozen times, this particular grain size does not seem to encourage worms or much of anything else. The other benefit of the fine sand is it stops detritus from settling between the grains of sand.> Also, is it necessary to place a small amount of live sand on top of the aragonite. <It is nice for inoculation, but you could also use your liverock.> Thanks for all the help. Mike from Cleveland <You are welcome. -Steven Pro>