Substrate question.

[Jon Fishman]

Saw a picture of a sump using matrix, and thought about converting my cube from sand to matrix/rock rubble or whatever.

I was thinking going bare-bottom, but it’s not going to be a reef tank so I’d like a substrate for looks, and feel like rock rubble would be easier to vacuum out gunk without sucking up sand (using attachments on a Home Depot Buckethead)

I won’t have any sand sifters...... so is there any obvious negatives to using rubble vs sand?

 

[Peach02]

A few small negatives that can be negated
clean up crew such as snails or hermit crabs may get stuck under large rock rubble
you may have to manually move the rock rubble before syphoning
if you put your aquascape ontop of the rubble it will likely be very unstable.
you won't be able to keep wrasse that dive into sand
rubble could clog up a syphon

 

[Redfoxtang]

True what is said above but WWC has a awesome looking tank setup with matrix and its a reef. Next time im in there ill snap a photo of it and share.