substrate and LR questions

[yoshikuni]

Hi all,

I'm finally getting all the gear together and setup (plus everything so far cost a pretty penny) got the RO/DI system, gonna install it soon. my setup is the 32g M-tank. Planning on getting around 40lbs of LR and approx. 3-4 inches of substrate.

My question is, i read i think one of Blade_Runner's post saying that he mixed CC with argonite sand and it worked great, can someone give me any advice on this?

another thing is, when you guys setup put in the substrate and LR, do you put in the substrate first and put LR on top of it -OR- do you put in the LR then the substrate, allowing the substrate to partially bury the bottom pieces of LR?

and if i plan on getting a goby that likes to burrow and decide to put the LR on top of the substrate, how would the LR be secured so that when the goby burrows under the LR, it wont bring the whole stack down?

these questions might seem fundemental and redundant, but I've been up for hours every night reading up before I setup everything up, and have read some contradicting advice and instructions from different sources. just thought i would ask people who have personal experience.
Thanks a lot!

[Matt Rogers]

I am not sure why Blade Runner mixes, perhaps he can elaborate.

As for what to do first, I and I believe nearly everyone else puts the substrate in first. A lot less mess. (Put a plate or bowl on top of the substrate where you are adding water.)

Even though the bottom glass is usually tempered (stronger) I'd like to think the substrate provides a buffer between the glass and rock. Rock directly on glass makes me paranoid!

As for burrowing gobies, I suppose they could cause trouble, but in my experience, they did not. I would not put them in a new tank though as they can starve easily with a new sand bed. Even later, they still need supplemental feeding.

Good luck! And thanks for joining.

matt

[yoshikuni]

thanks matt!

does everyone here just simply put LR on top of substrate?
will the LR develop dead areas where there is no flow between the LR and substrate?

does anyone else mix CC with sand to use as substrate, can anyone shed some light on this?

[Diver_1298]

I have mixed them. The sand just ends up falling to the bottom of the tank
I would go with one or the other. Crushed coral is ok, but traps lots of detrius and requires the old siphon hose treatment more often than sand.
You could use a framework of pvc pipe to support the live rock if you are concerned about your goby burrowing under your rock. And if you're like Matt and do not want to place it directly on the glass
Welcome to 3Reef!

Jim

[yoshikuni]

thanks a lot Jim!

I will use just sand instead of a mix.

it seems that there is one point where no one understands what i'm trying to ask. lol. let me try to be as concise as possible.
does the LR just sit ON TOP of the sand? or should the LR be partially buried?

also, i have read somewhere about the sandbed settling <http://www.inlandaquatics.com/info/faq_lsand.html> and they recommended to use something called "Foundation Rock", something sorta like slate rock under the sandbed to make it more stable i presume?
would anyone suggest using their method, or are they doing unneccessary things that are not practical?

BTW, my tank is acrylic
you guys are amazing, very helpful and relatively quick responses, bravo!

[Diver_1298]

What I was trying to say... A lot of people, including myself put the live rock on the bottom of the tank and then put sand around it. This is to help ensure that burrowing creatures do not undermine the rock structure and collapse it down upon their heads. Matt said that he didn't like the idea of putting the rock directly on the glass even though it is tempered. I suggested that you could build a framework with pvc pipe put it in the tank than put sand around it and rock on top so any burrowing or shifting that goes on does not affect the rock.
I see now, that you have an acrylic tank. It's not as breakable as glass but the same scenario applies. Questions??
Jim

[yoshikuni]

ok thanks again Jim! your awesome, karma for u!

have you or anyone tried or heard of the Inland Aquatics way of making a live sand bed? http://www.inlandaquatics.com/info/faq_lsand.html
should this be persued or is it a waste of time and effort?

[Diver_1298]

One thing I forgot to add was about the base rock or foundation rock. I used the less expensive not colorful rock for the base or building blocks for my liverock. You can't see it anyway...
As for the Inland Aquatics thing, I dont see anything wrong with it. It appears to be a little more expensive, But if you go slow and don't need instant gratification your sand will fill up with all the hitchhikers from the liverock and you can buy a small amount of live sand. Et Voila' You have the same thing a couple of months later. It's part of the maturation process. Have a good one.

Jim

[kb.bear]

you can seed sand to make live sand but all the prep and plastic and what not seems strange when you add sand is up to you before or after filling

[trying it again]

Maybe you could put some egg crate down first, the kind they use in flouresent
light fixtures?