Substrate selection and depth

[Paul31733]

Hey everyone!
I am currently building an IM sr60.
Was planning on going with black substrate but have since changed my mind due to multiple horror stories I have read while researching.

My question to you is....
What substrate would you choose and why?

Also what depth of substrate do you use?

Thanks.
Paul.

 

[lapin]

Reef flakes med to large sizes
Goes from bare in spots to 4 inches in others

Tropic Eden Reeflakes Aragonite Sand - 30lb

NOTE: Because of the heavy nature of sands. These sands will be shipped out via the most economical way, which may be UPS Ground or USPS, but will normally be USPS priority flat rate. Tropic Eden Premium Grade Reef Substrates 100% premium grade aragonite reef substrates expressed...

premiumaquatics.com

 

[ZoWhat]

Bare bottom....Both in my tank and my HOUSE!!!

In my tank, a quick 5min tank stir with Vortechs at 100% leads to quick debris removal via the skimmer

I my house, ALL HARDWOOD FLOORS. No carpet to grab onto debris and stink up the Joint. I only vacuum maybe every 6 weeks bc the airflow from the furnace gets all the dust into and trapped in the furnace filter


.

 

[HD_Reefer]

Hey everyone!
I am currently building an IM sr60.
Was planning on going with black substrate but have since changed my mind due to multiple horror stories I have read while researching.

My question to you is....
What substrate would you choose and why?

Also what depth of substrate do you use?

Thanks.
Paul.

The answer definitely depends on what you're trying to accomplish.

For me, I have 2" of Fiji Pink in the 24g Softie & LPS tank and it looks nice, doesn't blow around, but does capture a lot of debris. The other down side to it for me was that the Diamond Goby wasn't happy with the larger chunks and stays in the areas where the finer stuff has settled down to.

On the 13.5g softie tank, I went with 2" of Oolite. It blew around a lot in the beginning and made the water cloudy, but it has all settled down and doesn't blow around much anymore.

Personally, the Oolite at 2" is my choice. It looks amazing in the tank and creates natural ripples and banks in the substrate. The inverts and Goby's love it. I vacuum 1/4 of it at each water change and I would say it's easier to keep clean and stays clean longer.

I would note that if your chasing the SPS dream and plan to have a ton of flow in a small or shallow tank, the Oolite will be a pain. It will blow around and expose the bottom glass in the turbulent areas.