Substrate what to go with?

[pastelball]

I am going to upgrade to a bigger tank, so I may not be able to use the southdown I am using now as I will not have enough. Plus you can't get it anymore. I have now but may use it in a new sump/fuge. What is everyone using?

[porky]

Seems like everyone is going barebottom nowadays, that or a version of the starboard substrate.
I like my 2-3 inch live sand bed with a mixed size sand grains from southdown size to rubble size.

[zeppelin]

I agree. Shallow sandbed. You can mix Quickrete playsand with your Southdown. Did that in my downstairs 125 when I first set it up 3 years ago. Gotta have sand for the critters, snails, gobies, etc. :)

[pastelball]

I have thought of going barebottom, but I like the look of the sand.
Like Larry said with the critters, snails and gobies.

What do you thinnk of the yardright sand?

[szwab]

we were just disscussing thi the other day. If you go bare bottom you may want to make sure you have large pieces of live rock otherwise you may miss out on denitrification w/o a DSB

isn't yardright the same as southdown just different packaging?

[thebrian]

Yardright Tropical Play Sand is Southdown, and cannot be found anymore, as far as I know...

[cward]

I like the carib sea larger grain sand.

[CaveManNOhio]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7094060#post7094060 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cward
I like the carib sea larger grain sand.

Same here. I have a 4" bed in my 125. It is 50% Carib Sand and 50% crushed coral. The Coral layer is more toward's the bottom of the sand bed. When I make the transfer over to the 240 I will be adding 200 lbs. to keep my 4" bed. I'm only adding the Carib Sea Sand on top of what I transfer over.

[cwegescheide]

I have a ssb in my 90 of 100% arag-alive sand and that stuff TURNED TO STONE!!! Don't know if I should have mixed with another type of sand or what but be carefull. Thats my experience.

In a way I guess I'm lucky because I have 2 Tunze 6100's in my 90. I guess its better than a sand storm ;)

[pastelball]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7094173#post7094173 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CaveManNOhio
Same here. I have a 4" bed in my 125. It is 50% Carib Sand and 50% crushed coral. The Coral layer is more toward's the bottom of the sand bed. When I make the transfer over to the 240 I will be adding 200 lbs. to keep my 4" bed. I'm only adding the Carib Sea Sand on top of what I transfer over.

So maybe I will just add the carib Sea sand to what I have.

OK, now if you transfer over what you have. I would think you would start a cycle if I'm I correct?

[RokleM]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7094188#post7094188 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cwegescheide
I have a ssb in my 90 of 100% arag-alive sand and that stuff TURNED TO STONE!!! Don't know if I should have mixed with another type of sand or what but be carefull. Thats my experience.

In a way I guess I'm lucky because I have 2 Tunze 6100's in my 90. I guess its better than a sand storm ;)

I have some of the crushed coral (very fine) and it's started to get hard as well. I go in every once in a while and break it up.

Personally, I just like the look of sand. Even though I'll be putting Tunzee's in my bigger tank, I will still stick with at least a 2-3" sandbed, although I will introduce some of the more course sand. As well, it holds my handy critters I keep around (Nassarius and about 2 dozen Cerith like to burry).

[CaveManNOhio]

When I do my transfer I'm figuring with the 240 lbs. LS and 250 lbs. LR that will all be a little over a year old in my system it shouldn't take long for it to cycle with the new stuff added. I'm going to put all the new sand in after all the transfered stuff settles. The base rock that I will be adding(tabndust that's where you come in ;) ) will just be filler pieces.
I'm hoping I can get every one into their new home with in a week or so after I get if filled.

[TacoKing]

I think.. I think the reason for arag-sand and stuff turning to stone is due to major alk fluctuations of some sort. I remember reading that some place. Anyone else confirm this?


Ohh, and I do agree. I'm a fan of the Carib-Sea large grain sand. I have that mixed with crushed coral. Maybe 70% sand vs 30% crushed coral. With the flow in my tank I need some heavy substrate.

[szwab]

high calcium levels or the use of kalkwasser will do that. the "free" calcium in the water will bond on the calcium surface of the substrate and eventually bond the grains of sand together until it becomes one piece.

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

szwab....nice:)
was wondering myself......i guess my constant 450 is why......not alot, but some clumping in my old 120g.

setting up my new 210g tonight and will be using the larger grain carib sea

[szwab]

easy to avoid by gently stirring the sand occasionaly or getting a sand sifting critter.