To substrate or to not substrate that is the question

[angus34081]

Setting up a waterbox 20 cube and I have already received a ton of great advice. What are the feelings on best substrate in Nano? I have done sub and bare tanks before but have been away from the hobby for about 8 years. I would prefer I substrate but if it’s too much hassle so be it. I plan on housing fish, softies and LPS.

 

[X-37B]

My substrate is coralline.

 

[angus34081]

Love it, how long did that take.

 

[NB Reefer]

I use caribsea special grade and love it. Heavy enough not to blow and fine enough for sand dwellers.

 

[X-37B]

My substrate is coralline.

Here is a before and after
1st 9/1/19
2nd 11/20/19
Original pic 1/1/20
5 months total.
Tanks 10+ months now.

 

[Proteus Meep]

Substrate.....always substrate

Caribsea Fiji Pink dry for me

 

[Nick Steele]

I used caribsea special grade and it works nicely was a pain in the beginning when it was overran by cyano but now it is beautiful.

 

[angus34081]

Is there any I should definitely stay away from?

 

[plankton]

I prefer chocolate ice cream and is the therefore the only allowed flavor!

im running BB on two tanks and it’s just because I always seem to run into trouble a couple years later when running sand substrate.

However tanks ‘look’ better and more natural with a sand substrate so there you go. Haha

what about a remote seed sand bed off your sump?

 

[lapin]

Is there any I should definitely stay away from?

Things like rock rubble or reborn calcium media will trap a lot of crud and pretty impossible to clean. Great for pods and worms but......

 

[X-37B]

I went the other direction on my frag tank.
I have sand in my 45 frag system. I also have a diamond goby that keeps it clean.
Its only 12" tall and is more a shallow reef with a frag rack. Its only 4 months old.
2 clowns, six line wrasse and the goby.
An urchin and a couple peppermint shrimps.