Tank substrate

[damaclean]

Hi,

Some time ago there was a thread on advantages on having a substrate in the main display tank (sand or coral gravel) or leaving it completely bare. I have been unable to find it using the search facility so if anyone remembers it - I would be grateful for a steer. I am setting up another 4x2x2 and am unsure whether to use sand, gravel or nothing in the main tank and have a DSB in the sump. The existing tank has gravel to around 1 1/2 inches and this has worked well but needs starfish to keep turning it over as well as probably being a trap for all detruis (+ beneficial worms etc).
Thoughts on substrate appreciated:)

[chrisgregg]

live sand all the way :D

[damaclean]

live sand all the way :D

Hi when you talk about sand is fine better than small coral gravel types.
Tks

[Corsetts]

I've recently set up a new tank and searched through the old threads for the best substrate, which turned out to be sugar fine sand.

I duly added some, and 6 weeks later, it's the worst decision I've made!
The slightest suggestion of flow and it lifts up and swirls around the tank. At least with the coarse aragonite I used in the old system you could push some flow over it to keep it clean.

Cheers

chris :)

[clippo]

it's not a straight forward decision - depends on what you want the bed for. If it's just a shallow bed (1 inch deep) though, then I'd go for 1-2mm grade aragonite (fine gravel) as it doesn't swirl about, is too small to trap large detritus and is large enough to avoid stagnation. That said, I would still incorporate sand sifters or vacuum the bed when you do a water change.