What substrate do you prefer in the smaller aquariums?

[Dustinba]

Just curious to know what kind of substrate you prefer in your smaller reef aquariums. I just bought some fine live sand, but now i am thinking with all the flow, it would be better to get something a little thicker. This will be my first reef aquarium i am setting up and I didn't want sand to be blowing around on all the corals.

 

[NY_Caveman]

Just curious to know what kind of substrate you prefer in your smaller reef aquariums. I just bought some fine live sand, but now i am thinking with all the flow, it would be better to get something a little thicker. This will be my first reef aquarium i am setting up and I didn't want sand to be blowing around on all the corals.

I went bare bottom in my 45 gallon AIO. Figured I would never have a flow problem and I really like the look. Went with black Starboard.

 

[Dustinba]

I went bare bottom in my 45 gallon AIO. Figured I would never have a flow problem and I really like the look. Went with black Starboard.

Yes very true about the flow. I personally like sand. I noticed some people are still using the super fine sand, but lately i have been noticing more of the thicker grade sand being used.

 

[btmedic04]

I used caribsea bimini pink. it has a pretty good mix from 0.5mm to 5mm in my nuvo 20. Occasionally I see a little bit of sand lifted off the sandbed by my mp10 but im running it at 60% between reef crest, 60% tidal swell, 60% lagoon and 20% constant throughout the day

 

[Dustinba]

I used caribsea bimini pink. it has a pretty good mix from 0.5mm to 5mm in my nuvo 20. Occasionally I see a little bit of sand lifted off the sandbed by my mp10 but im running it at 60% between reef crest, 60% tidal swell, 60% lagoon and 20% constant throughout the day

I wish i could afford the mp10. I don't have adjustable flow settings in my biocube currently.

 

[btmedic04]

I wish i could afford the mp10. I don't have adjustable flow settings in my biocube currently.

You'll get there brother! Theres always good deals on used MP10s too. To give you a frame of reference, 60% on an mp10 is around 900gph plus the 250gph from my sicce 1.0 return pump. So overall 1150gph of flow and it doesn't move too much of my sand

 

[SPR1968]

I personally would go for a heavier grain sand and then you’ll have less issues with it being blown around in the long run.

Fine sand can cloud the water when the fish throw it around.

But it’s all personal opinion and how you like your tank to look.

 

[Simply__J]

I personally would go for a heavier grain sand and then you’ll have less issues with it being blown around in the long run.

Fine sand can cloud the water when the fish throw it around.

But it’s all personal opinion and how you like your tank to look.

Couldn't agree more, just recently swapped out my fine sand in my 45gal cube to special grade after upgrading the flow. Save yourself the headache down the road.

 

[Dustinba]

Couldn't agree more, just recently swapped out my fine sand in my 45gal cube to special grade after upgrading the flow. Save yourself the headache down the road.

Yeah that is what I’m leaning towards. I’ve always liked the look of the fine sand to make it look natural, but I’m trying to make this tank as headache free as I can.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Not sure what size tank you have (maybe I missed that somewhere), but I LOVE my Tropic Eden Reef Flakes and Mesoflakes. I have a mix of both in my tank, and it's great stuff. It's heavy enough that it stays put in high flow, but still sand, so sand sifters do fine with it.

 

[Dustinba]

Not sure what size tank you have (maybe I missed that somewhere), but I LOVE my Tropic Eden Reef Flakes and Mesoflakes. I have a mix of both in my tank, and it's great stuff. It's heavy enough that it stays put in high flow, but still sand, so sand sifters do fine with it.

Idk if I said or not, but I have a biocube 32 with two hydor 240 power heads. That’s why with all the flow, I’m thinking about the thicker grain. I’ll probably be returning the other sand today and swap it out.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Idk if I said or not, but I have a biocube 32 with two hydor 240 power heads. That’s why with all the flow, I’m thinking about the thicker grain. I’ll probably be returning the other sand today and swap it out.

Definitely check out the Tropic Eden stuff. I think you'll like it.

 

[shred5]

Depends what I am keeping..
if I keep inverts or fish like jawfish or wrasses I use sand.
Otherwise I like white starboard for my bare bottom tanks, it has a sand texture.

 

[Dustinba]

Depends what I am keeping..
if I keep inverts or fish like jawfish or wrasses I use sand.
Otherwise I like white starboard for my bare bottom tanks, it has a sand texture.

I’ll have to check the lfs to see if they have it. The eden sand does look like the thickness I’m looking for

 

[shred5]

I’ll have to check the lfs to see if they have it. The eden sand does look like the thickness I’m looking for

I doubt a fish store would have starboard.

Tropic Eden sand is good, I have used and various sizes with Reef flakes being my favorite. I also like Caribsea special grade.

 

[Marie7]

Just curious to know what kind of substrate you prefer in your smaller reef aquariums. I just bought some fine live sand, but now i am thinking with all the flow, it would be better to get something a little thicker. This will be my first reef aquarium i am setting up and I didn't want sand to be blowing around on all the corals.

Crush coral is heavier and it won't fly all over the tank

 

[Oliver d]

Dont like bear bottom tanks but I just go to the beach and collect my sand below the high water mark.