substrate?

[MJaquariums]

well i didnt know where to post this so i just decided that substrate helps run our tanks kind of. anyway i was wondering how many lbs. of sub. would you need for a 55gal. i have been reading about tanks and every book i read said i needed different amounts any suggestions

[ckusnierek]

It depends on weather you want a DSB (Deep Sand Bed) or a SSB (shallow Sand Bed)

I think most consider a DSB 5 inches or deeper and less would be a SSB. So there is another month of reading the pros and cons of both untill you decide which one you want.

Once you decide you can use simple math to calculate hor many cubic feet (or inches) you will need. I know that bags have a weight not sure if there is a volume in them. I'm sure you can go to the mfg and find that out.

Also, if you havent already figured it out there are a ton of grades of substrate from super fine sand to very corase crushed coral.

[Geoff]

i would actually suggest not keeping a sand bed. i like the less maintenance involved with keeping a bare bottomed tank. if you are just getting into the hobby a good 4" sand bed is good for learning, but it will need to be replaced in a couple of years when it gets full of nutrients.

G~

[ckusnierek]

In my 75 I actually have about 3-4" of real coarse sand (almost fine crushed coral) Every WC I vaccum it and I can actually force the vaccum to the bottom glass then pull out and suck up very little sand. This way my SB will hold very few nutrients. I think it was Carib Sea "reef floor" And I dont have a sand storm problem with it.

[Casey]

Bare Bottom would be much easier to mantain.

[MJaquariums]

does anyone know where i could read about a DSB and a SSB

[Geoff]

do a search in the General Reef Discussions forum for either DSB or SSB, you should find a lot of threads that will explain the care differences between the two.

G~