Substrate for large fowlr

[JC1977]

So I’ve always gone bare bottom with my previous tanks for several reasons but the biggest being they were reef tanks and I didn’t want it blowing around. However with this build it’s a FOWLR and flow will be moderate. So I’ve always loved the look of finer sand like the Fiji pink. It just looks so natural in the displays I’ve seen. So no coral but I’ll have large fish including a puffer and trigger. Is the fine sand still a bad idea or can I get away with it with less flow? It’s a 8x3x2 footprint and I’m planning on having 4 mp40s on the back wall plus the dual returns.

 

[italquam]

So I’ve always gone bare bottom with my previous tanks for several reasons but the biggest being they were reef tanks and I didn’t want it blowing around. However with this build it’s a FOWLR and flow will be moderate. So I’ve always loved the look of finer sand like the Fiji pink. It just looks so natural in the displays I’ve seen. So no coral but I’ll have large fish including a puffer and trigger. Is the fine sand still a bad idea or can I get away with it with less flow? It’s a 8x3x2 footprint and I’m planning on having 4 mp40s on the back wall plus the dual returns.

I would try Tropic Eden Sand from Premium Aquatics, it comes in all sizes and you can mix them well, they have some decent sized Meso Flakes which I like

 

[JC1977]

I would try Tropic Eden Sand from Premium Aquatics, it comes in all sizes and you can mix them well, they have some decent sized Meso Flakes which I like

I’ve heard of that brand. Why do you prefer it over the Carib Sea sands?

 

[italquam]

I’ve heard of that brand. Why do you prefer it over the Carib Sea sands?

Tropic Eden is just better quality in my opinion, Premium Aquatics did several videos on it. Also more of a specialty item , Caribsea is more a broad product line , while still good , I prefer something more specific if I am going to use it for a while.

 

[italquam]

 

[italquam]

 

[JC1977]

Thanks for sharing the videos I’ll check them out!

 

[italquam]

Thanks for sharing the videos I’ll check them out!

The thing with Premium Aquatics is they are only ones who carry Tropic Eden, so they stand by it and it sells e at times . Curious what you go with , let us all know

 

[JC1977]

The thing with Premium Aquatics is they are only ones who carry Tropic Eden, so they stand by it and it sells e at times . Curious what you go with , let us all know

Yeah I’m not sure about brand or grade of sand at this point ?? I was hoping somebody will chime in that had a larger fowlr set up and how fine of sand they use. Anyhow I appreciate your input I’ll definitely update when I decide!

 

[italquam]

Yeah I’m not sure about brand or grade of sand at this point ?? I was hoping somebody will chime in that had a larger fowlr set up and how fine of sand they use. Anyhow I appreciate your input I’ll definitely update when I decide!

I am in process of setting one up and I went with a mix of the Tropic Eden but I don't have it setup yet so I can't give you exact feedback yet but that is my plan.

 

[Devaji]

I was just thinking about this yesterday.
OK here my thoughts. one bag of the ocean direct live sand to bring in the good bac. then I am going with special grade reef sand. for me that is a nice grain size, still looks good but does not blow away.

I have never used the pink fiji stuff so dont know how much the mp40s will blow it around.
but if you like it go for it. you can make it part of your maintenance to push the sand back every other day.

 

[JC1977]

I was just thinking about this yesterday.
OK here my thoughts. one bag of the ocran cirect live sand to bring in the good bac. then I am going with special grade reef sand. for me that is a nice grain size still looks good but does not blow away.

I have never used the pink fiji stuff so dont know how much the mp40s will blow it around.
but if you like it go for it. you can make it part of your maintenance to push the sand back every other day.

lol not sure I want that kind of maintenance. It seems like the reviews are mixed concerning the Fiji pink some say it’s ok with flow others not so much but the other issue I have to consider is having a clown trigger that I know will be moving that stuff around I’m sure. I’m not really sure it’s worth it purely for the visual appeal. I love the look of it in a tank but staying bare bottom might be in my best interest.

 

[JC1977]

Like I’ve said I haven’t had anybody chime in saying they run finer sand in the Fowlr set ups??

 

[Devaji]

staying bare bottom might be in my best interest.

hmm I would say be bold and go with some sand.haha for me I am not a BB person. but seems like you have good experience with it so....

might as well do something different int his tank.
maybe others will chime in. more reefers then FOWLR keepers here on R2R .

can also ask on the FOWLR FB page if you use FB.

 

[JC1977]

hmm I would say be bold and go with some sand.haha for me I am not a BB person. but seems like you have good experience with it so....

might as well do something different int his tank.
maybe others will chime in. more reefers then FOWLR keepers here on R2R .

can also ask on the FOWLR FB page if you use FB.

Good idea but this is as close to social media as I get lol

 

[kados]

Good idea but this is as close to social media as I get lol

Two of us!

 

[lion king]

Good idea but this is as close to social media as I get lol

Funny, this is the only place I converse online

As far as substrate goes, I've used both th fuji pink and special grade and they are both good choices. The finer substrate is only problematic with higher flow in the beginning. Over time it gets weighted down with bacteria and other organics. I like what I did in my venom tank, I used a coarser mix around the rocks and special grade up front.

 

[JC1977]

Funny, this is the only place I converse online

As far as substrate goes, I've used both th fuji pink and special grade and they are both good choices. The finer substrate is only problematic with higher flow in the beginning. Over time it gets weighted down with bacteria and other organics. I like what I did in my venom tank, I used a coarser mix around the rocks and special grade up front.

Awesome thanks for the input. I like the special grade for its ability to stay put in high flow but man the Fiji Pink looks so much more natural to me lol. As far as the Fiji pink what would you consider too much flow as far as in take with power heads ? I’m thinking 4x MP40s on back wall run at 50% or two MP60s one on each end of tank ran at lower power.

 

[lion king]

Awesome thanks for the input. I like the special grade for its ability to stay put in high flow but man the Fiji Pink looks so much more natural to me lol. As far as the Fiji pink what would you consider too much flow as far as in take with power heads ? I’m thinking 4x MP40s on back wall run at 50% or two MP60s one on each end of tank ran at lower power.

Size wise I don't think they are that different, size wise I don't think they are that different. Like I mentioned I have noticed over a few tanks that the substrate will settle down after a while. You may just have to be more careful on direction or tune down the flow for a few weeks.

 

[Devaji]

Good idea but this is as close to social media as I get lol

dont blame you got to be careful in FB. my page is nothing but fish tank and photography.

have you seen the two large tanks for WWC where they used CA Rx media for the bottom. not my style but its works great for high flow.

let me see if I can dig around and find it for you.