Best place to buy substrate and pump suggestions

[Bryan47]

So the last thing I need for the cuttlefish tank is substrate and a sump pump!

What is the best place to buy substrate?

Also I need a pump around 500-700gph. Was thinking jebao dc3000 I like that the pump can be adjusted. I have a $30 credit to foster smith so I would like to get something there. This is my first sumo setup where I drilled and plumbed it myself.

Any other tips would be appreciated!

 

[betelgeuse]

As much as I hate it petco has lots of good deals on substrate... Right now they have Caribsea aragonite sand 10lb bags for $4.50 each... I bought 150 lbs from them over the summer for a similar price and when I found over 200 lbs of sand from a reef takedown for $20 it was really easy to return the online ordered sand to the Wallingford petco... So there's not that much risk if you buy it online then find a better deal elsewhere... Btw nice tank... What size is it?

 

[Bryan47]

Thanks a lot! It's a 40 breeder. It's going to be species only for dwarf cuttlefish. The caribsea is live sand right?

 

[betelgeuse]

They do sell the live sand... Not sure how much I believe in love sand that's in a bag on a shelf for years though... The 4.50 is dry sand... I've used it before... It's good but you have to be willing to rinse it for a while

 

[Bryan47]

Where is the best place for live substrate?

 

[betelgeuse]

I ended up getting mine on Craigslist... But petco does have the live in a bag stuff too for cheap... You might be best off with dry substrate and seeding it with some live stuff from a fellow reefers tank

 

[phillrodrigo]

Petco has like 16 pounds for 29$. I have 2 bags in my 75. It is live sand but isn't that important to be live. If you can get dry way cheaper go for it

 

[smb2415]

try blakes in Meriden - good prices. no need for live sand, just get dry and be sure to WASH the sand before using.

If you're doing a strictly species tank for cuttlefish you may want to consider large gravel, epoxy sand bottom, or bare bottom. Its my understanding that cuttlefish make quite a detritus pile so you may find regular vacuuming beneficial.

 

[aslmx]

petsmart I got 80lbs for around $55 shipped..as long as you dont mind rinsing it a few 100 times its great

 

[smb2415]

Thats a really good price, sale? coupon? points? You must share your magic

petsmart I got 80lbs for around $55 shipped..as long as you dont mind rinsing it a few 100 times its great

 

[smb2415]

for price reference I paid $30 for 40lbs of:
Carib-Sea, Dry Aragonite Special Grade Reef, 1-2mm, (19) #00050 40lbs

 

[Bryan47]

try blakes in Meriden - good prices. no need for live sand, just get dry and be sure to WASH the sand before using.

If you're doing a strictly species tank for cuttlefish you may want to consider large gravel, epoxy sand bottom, or bare bottom. Its my understanding that cuttlefish make quite a detritus pile so you may find regular vacuuming beneficial.

I asked Laura from Reefgen and she said any substrate will do. That is a good point though.

 

[drsalomon]

Dc3000 is a great pump for low heat, minimal energy, whisper quiet.

 

[Bryan47]

Dc 3000 looks great! And $69 shipped 2 day with Amazon. My main concern is low heat because from research the cooler you can keep the water the longer their lifespan. I will have to ask Laura what she has found to be the optimal temperature. Was thinking of going external but that's just another spot to worry about leaks. With my luck I'll rip it out and my tank will be on the floor! Need to find a 1" slip to ¾ fpt pvc for the lockline. Anyone know somewhere that stocks this? I'm gonna check Home Depot tomorrow

 

[J062682l]

I got the dc6000 and I love. I just wish I stepped it up and bought the next size up I recommend gettin the dc 6000 it's lowest speed is not enough for my 55 I can run it full blast and then the overflow won't keep up.

 

[mtc1966]

I have a 20lb bag of carib sea live pink fii sand you can have it for 20 $

 

[Bryan47]

Where are u located?

 

[smb2415]

I have a DC10000 gen2 I use to feed my skimmer. Its been good so far. Im using it submersed.

 

[mtc1966]

Where are u located?

Middletown