wht substrate do you use?

[jonathan]

i was just curious to know what substrate you prefer to use in your reef tanks? all answers/comments appreciated!

[amcarrig]

Carib-Sea Custom Sea Floor mixed in with a little Southdown sand.

[Michaelr5]

Carib-Sea AragAlive fine aragonite live sand.

[APC]

Caribsea ArgAlive. 1 pound per gallon...makes about a 1 " deep bed in my Stretch hex tank. Looks great, does not collect too much junk. Easy to clean and stir.

[jonathan]

i've noticed a few of you are using arag-alive. have you noticed a difference (or by comparison) if the arag-alive actually helps jump start your cycling process and speeds up the bacteria population?

[APC]

I am not sure if it helps or not, as I have always used it...but my tanks have cycled quickly using it. Not sure if the sand helped or not. :-)

[Michaelr5]

Originally Posted by APC

I am not sure if it helps or not, as I have always used it...but my tanks have cycled quickly using it. Not sure if the sand helped or not. :-)

Same here

[jonathan]

Originally Posted by Michaelr5

Same here

are you using the oolitic sand? what's your take/preference/opinion on the grain size and does it tend to get blown around in your tank?

[Michaelr5]

I used ARAG-LIVE Special Grade 1-2mm It is a fine, but not too fine sand. It did tend to blow around a little at first, but it settled down and actually created a nice effect as is was smoothed out by the currents. Sand will also tend to stabilize and stick together as the bio activity increases. Another good choice if you find the special grade too white, is the Fiji Pink. I used that in my refugium.

Mike

[jonathan]

thanks for the reply...i want a real pristine look and was leaning towards the arag-alive oolitic sand, maybe i'll take a peek at the special grade. i have used only fiji pink in the past and wanted to find something a little less "hued". thanks aqain for the input.