What is everyone running in there fuge?

[juiceguy]

I am in the process of finalizing my upgrade to my new tank and was wondering what everyone uses as a substrate in there fuge. i have been using mud for years without a hitch but i see most ppl just using sand in there fuge. i am thinking about using oolitic sand, has anyone have experience with it?

 

[masterswimmer]

Frank, oolitic sand is similar to the Southdown sand of yore (or yesteryear :biggrin: ). I used Southdown in my fuge with great success. I don't see why you shouldn't use oolite in your fuge, it is a low flow area that you don't have to worry about sandstorms from excessive flow.

Russ

 

[Galantra]

Frank, first I would have to ask what will be in your fuge?

 

[tomtoothdoc]

I am in the process of finalizing my upgrade to my new tank and was wondering what everyone uses as a substrate in there fuge. i have been using mud for years without a hitch but i see most ppl just using sand in there fuge. i am thinking about using oolitic sand, has anyone have experience with it?

i have a 55 gal. fuge with dsb ~6.5" of oolite. i have low flow in there so no problem with sandstorm....that some people have when they have the dsb in the display.

 

[mr_X]

just use some agaronite based sand. it doesn't matter which.
as far as the mud goes, i read about a study done on the popular "miracle mud", and the results stated that there was nothing in it to suggest it was from the ocean.
i purchased a container before i saw this and found pieces of red brick and some shiny plastic things in mine.
it's from someone's back yard.

i'd be willing to bet that your results from using it had nothing to do with the mud itself.

 

[Wesley]

I have no sand. Just an Algae Scrubber to a bucket with Chaeto. Nitrate zero, Phosphate zero, and lots of critters.

 

[juiceguy]

galantra i am just throwing some sea grass that i have from tobin for now, i may just use the fuge as a place to throw frags in later.
as far as the benefits of mud.....i know it is loaded with iron so it fuels the algae growth, it has no chemical or elemental base towards seawater but it is a very fine grain that aids in denitrification. i know brightwell products has the kona coast substrate that has similar grain size to the mud and esv has there oolitic sand. i was never a fan of oolitic sand because it compacted and i found less critters that can burrow thru it.

 

[Master Shake]

oolite sand( i think i spelled it right ), it is like filling up your sump with tiny golf balls alowing water to flow easier.

 

[Galantra]

Frank, I got to agree with you on the mud if its mainly fuge. it wont be a deep sand bed though?

 

[Bob 1000]

Rock and seagrass why make an enviroment for nutrients to sit in... I disagree with DSB's and all that other fuge stuff.. Ever smelt a dsb in a freshly drained tank(sulfur), just one more thing to clean. If they are so good accidentally or purposely stir it a little and tell me that good stuff came out.. Probably have a phosphate spike..
You know, there is a reason why people started going BB,,lol..

 

[juiceguy]

galantra....i like my sand so the dsb will be in the display, i want to use the fuge to hold algae and frags so i think sand may be the way to go.

tobin....i am on the other side of the fence, i want those nutrients to cycle thru the sand, if you have a properly set up sand bed, it will provide you years of service. sulfur is the next step in the cycle of nutrients when you have a low oxygen environment and in a fully established sand bed, the sulfur stays where it needs to be in that bottom layer. sand beds are not meant to be stirred up, just have the proper critters to service it. BB vs dsb has been going on for years and i believe both systems work, it is a personal preference.

 

[Bob 1000]

I agree with you Frank.. I just stop liking sand a while ago.. Also when I got my denitrifier the reactor would smell like sulfur when the powerhead inside the reactor was full of good bacteria and not stirring the water enough which killed all of the bacteria that was cultured in there.Mind you the reactor goes anerobic for a minimum of 4 hrs 6X a day. Maybe my denitrifier works like a reverse DSB.. They don't recommend using both maybe this is why,,lol.. I still say rock rubble and seagrass:tongue1:.. Best of luck which ever way you go Frank..

 

[lunner]

I have a 3" sand bed, some small LR, 4 main types of macros and 2 red mangroves in my fuge, as well as a food disposer (2" Chaetodontoplus angel). There is a MJ900 inside the fuge. No filter sock prefilter. I have this exact fuge settings for a bit more then a year.

Sand is almost 4 years old.