substrate for FOWLR

[Gaffes]

I have a FOWLR with only one fish. It is not a full-on reef, but I am enjoying the process of cultivating the liverock & trying to grow coralline. I also have mushrooms and green star polyps.

Currently, I have no substrate, and would like to add something to act as a buffer, and improve the appearance. I am thinking that sand would be too tough to add, and would increase maintainence. Besides, the single fish is an undulated tiggerfish that might stir up the sand too much.

What is my best strategy? I am thinking of just enough crushed coral to cover the bottom. Is this my best bet?

thanks!

 

[Len]

I'd much rather go with fine sand then crushed corals. Crushed corals always traps so much detritus in my tanks that it effects water quality. It doesn't look as nice to me either Adding sand should be pretty simple. If using dry sand, just rinse it VERY thoroughly before you add it. Live sand is easier to add, but $$$.

For maintanence, some siphoning every few months while doing water changes will do the trick.

 

[Meloco14]

I personally like fine sand better than crushed coral also. But if you prefer crushed coral, you have the right idea. Use just enough to cover the bottom so that you can easily siphon it on a regular basis. If you have too deep of a bed it will trap too much detritus. HTH

 

[Gaffes]

Actually, I prefer the look of sand, but have never used it before.

Can I just use enough to cover the bottom? Any what type should I get?

 

[Anonymous]

If you are only using a little to cover the bottom then get some live sand from a fish store. it comes in a bag. Like Len said, Dry sand has to be rinsed very well before using it.

I think my lfs sells sand for about 18 bucks a bag. Yeah its a rip off for sand but for the little you need to cover the bottom its worth not having to rinse it all out.

You can put the sand in a cup, fill it slowly with tank water and lower it very slowly to the bottom of the tank, then dump it out very slowly. That will keep the cloudyness down.


When you do water changes if you siphon the sand out with one of those tools they sell ( basically a hose attached to like a 2 inch clear pipe) you can keep it very clean.

 

[EmilyB]

I'll never put sand with a trigger ever again. My black blotch carries and spits the sand everywhere. Result, cloudy, messy tank. Triggers look for worms and things in the sand.