??? on set-up....(DSB? rock? refugium?)

[GPCRalph]

Hi,
I am planning to set up a small reef tank- about 18 gal. It will have a sump with a skimmer. I am planning on using 15-20lbs of base rock and 5lbs. of live rock. (Should I increase the live to base rock ratio?-I figure that the base rock will become live with time) I am going to have about 64 watts of power compact lighting over it. I am confused about a few things. The first of which is the matter of having a sand bed. My local fish store is very knowledgeable (run by Marine Biologist) and believes sand beds are unnecessary and detrimental in that they trap deritirus, etc. Other places recommend DSB of 3+ inches for nitrate control. Others recommend a thinner one inch thick layer. I am real confused. I don’t know what to do; can you all help me decide? If I do get a DSB, what sand do I use? and will I need one of those expensive detrivore kits that some sites advertise (they seem to be for larger tanks)?
Also, what are the benefits of growing macro-algae in the sump. I have also seen that some people even put live rock and live sand in there too. Is that what a refugium is? Should I do this instead of having a sand bed in the actual tank?

Sorry for if the post is too lengthy, I am just a little confused…
Thanks for your help,
Rafael R

 

[Roach]

For an 18 gallon tank I would use more live rock as apposed to base rock. If you can afford it you might as well. With base rock you may have to wait longer before you begin adding live stuff to the tank. As for the sandbed I think most people on this board have one and probably a deep one. Mine is about 4" but there are some people that go as deep as 6". I for one like the look of the sand as well as the benefits from it. If you are going to do a sump then it's nice to do a refugium in the sump as well. My sump has a couple different sections that are seperated by acrylic dividers. One section has a sandbed, rocks, and some macro algae in it. The other holds my two skimmers and the third has the return pump. Over the macor I have a mini-light which comes on when the main lights go off. There are so many different methods out there that you could really get confused. This method has worked for tanks of mine in the past and my current one has been running smooth for almost a year now. Hope some of this rambling helps