Aragonite Substrate for fish?

Polypnewbie · 12/05/2016, 05:00 PM

Would it be ok to put a tailspot blenny or an ocellaris clownfish in a tank with aragonite substrate? Or would it be better to use regular fine sand for either fish?

mcgyvr · 12/05/2016, 05:04 PM

In saltwater.. Aragonite is regular sand

Polypnewbie · 12/05/2016, 09:18 PM

Thanks

my sand is really big clumps though. Do either need to be able to burrow down? Would weighty substrate be a problem?

ca1ore · 12/05/2016, 10:31 PM

Neither of those fish are sand burrowers. Sand clumps over time, so either you mechanically siphon it or employ sand burrowing animals. I'd avoid the really fine sand as all it does is blow around. Special grade seafloor stuff has worked best for me.

FirstContact · 12/06/2016, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

I'd avoid the really fine sand as all it does is blow around. Special grade seafloor stuff has worked best for me.

Everyone says that, but I have sugar fine sand in my 120 and 2 RW15s and don't have that problem.

I'm starting to wonder if I am the only one, but my experience is that the sand blows around for a few weeks until the powerheads re-arrange the sand bed to how they want it and then it just completely stops, and no more sand blowing around.

BTW, don't waste your money on live sand. Everything becomes live over time. Go for the biggest dry weight at the cheapest price. If it drives you bonkers that you have to have it immediately, ask a friend for for a cup of sand from their tank or ask your LFS if you can pay them for a cup.

cubanreef22 · 12/06/2016, 05:19 PM

Yes live sand is the biggest scam this side of the Mississippi

JMorris271 · 12/06/2016, 10:41 PM

My sand blows everywhere when the fish swishes by. If it wasn't for 2 fish I have, I'd put the ocean floor in in a skinny minute

12/05/2016, 05:00 PM	#1
Polypnewbie Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 73	Aragonite Substrate for fish? Would it be ok to put a tailspot blenny or an ocellaris clownfish in a tank with aragonite substrate? Or would it be better to use regular fine sand for either fish?

12/05/2016, 05:04 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	In saltwater.. Aragonite is regular sand __________________ Who me?

12/05/2016, 10:31 PM	#4
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Neither of those fish are sand burrowers. Sand clumps over time, so either you mechanically siphon it or employ sand burrowing animals. I'd avoid the really fine sand as all it does is blow around. Special grade seafloor stuff has worked best for me. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

12/06/2016, 10:41 PM	#7
JMorris271 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Foothills of SC Posts: 2,010	My sand blows everywhere when the fish swishes by. If it wasn't for 2 fish I have, I'd put the ocean floor in in a skinny minute __________________ 120 gal mixed tank. Lightly stocked now but.... Last edited by JMorris271; 12/06/2016 at 10:48 PM.

12/05/2016, 09:18 PM	#3
Polypnewbie Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 73	Thanks my sand is really big clumps though. Do either need to be able to burrow down? Would weighty substrate be a problem?

12/06/2016, 05:19 PM	#6
cubanreef22 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: chicago Posts: 242	Yes live sand is the biggest scam this side of the Mississippi