|
|
Post by Jess Puff on Nov 7, 2011 8:30:12 GMT -6
So, I could probably figure this out if I read through every single thread but I am looking to setup a 55 gal and a 20 gal Tang tank. Should I go with sand/crushed coral mix (b/c I have plenty of this stuff to go around) or should I go with another type of substrate? How do you guys think black sand w/ crushed coral would look? Depending on what type of Tang's I get I know I'll have to have some shells in there. And I guess some caves of some sort. I know I'm definitely getting some Calvus/Comps and possibly a Goby or 2 or 3.  And some others to go with those guys. I might put a Front or 2 in my 55 (that's for you Mark). I'm just not sure what type of substrate would work well and look good... opinions please. |
|
|
|
Post by kyangelsncorys on Nov 7, 2011 9:28:44 GMT -6
i have my gold head comps on blk and whte sand but i had them on crushed coral a few months ago and they did fine as well so i think its what ever you like best , the main thing is KEEP IT CLEAN
|
|
|
|
Post by Jess Puff on Nov 7, 2011 9:44:00 GMT -6
Yea, I have to remind myself to not make the substrate super deep... for some reason I like a lot of substrate but I know it's not good for water quality. I think I might just use crushed coral for the substrate. I seem to do a better job of keeping it clean.
|
|
|
|
Post by glenoweth on Nov 7, 2011 10:25:00 GMT -6
It really maters what type of fish you are wanting to get. To me it seems most of my tangs love the sand over rocks ,and crush. most of the fish like to simi sift in the sand for food witch makes for a cleaner tank because they are always moving the sand and kicking up the Bio so the filters can suck it up.
What type of tangs are you going to be getting?
tropheus, comps ,calvus, cyprichromis, frontosa, brichardi would do fine in all types of sub.
Xenos, ocellatus, gobies, Julies, Enantiopus, Callochromis, Auloncranus, do better in sand. IMO. Plus like i said if you get a few sandsifting types in the tank they will keep it clean.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jess Puff on Nov 7, 2011 10:27:01 GMT -6
Ooh... that might be better then. This is totally why I asked. I know this is probably a rookie question, but if I decide to go with sand, how do you guys keep the Ph up? I hate having to use buffers.
|
|
|
|
Post by glenoweth on Nov 7, 2011 13:35:25 GMT -6
I dont seem to have problems with my PH here in huntsville. not sure about where you live. mine stays about 7.8-8.2
So what type of tangs were you thinking about getting?
|
|
|
|
Post by jon carman on Nov 7, 2011 13:36:47 GMT -6
What is your pH now? I would do sand, I would only do fronts if you plan on gettiing a 125g at some point.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jess Puff on Nov 7, 2011 13:38:43 GMT -6
I haven't tested the Ph from the tap in Paducah yet but I will this weekend.
|
|
|
|
Post by glenoweth on Nov 7, 2011 14:29:13 GMT -6
agree with jon about frontosa, if you get them small you will have some time to upgrade to a 100-125g
|
|
|
|
Post by Jess Puff on Nov 7, 2011 14:30:11 GMT -6
I'm really wanting a HUGE tank for my basement. Hubby said I could get as big as I want (as long as I don't put it upstairs)... now to find one for a good price. |
|
|
|
Post by glenoweth on Nov 7, 2011 15:06:21 GMT -6
Lucky.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jess Puff on Nov 7, 2011 15:07:03 GMT -6
I know... he loves me |
|
|
|
Post by rickl on Nov 8, 2011 16:01:01 GMT -6
Build a 8x4 footprint plywood tank! See if he stands by "as big as you want"  I currently use PFS, but I've used very fine gravel and play sand in the past. My multies constantly dug in the sand when their shells were on sand (not so much now that they have a deep shell bed). I haven't seen a ton of digging from my julies, but I still don't have good lights so I don't spend as much time watching them as I'd like. Plus 2 of them seem to hang out in a cave where I can't see if they're digging or not,a nd the other 2 seem to have taken up residence in the back corner of the shellbed... I should probably rehome those 2, but I don't want to have to try to catch them! -Rick (the armchair aquarist) |
|
|
|
Post by Jess Puff on Nov 12, 2011 16:49:57 GMT -6
My Ph out of the tap is 8.0. I've setup 2 tanks in my fish room so far... woot woot! And I have a plan for the rest of the future tanks. Over the next few weeks I'll be slowly moving my fish and current tanks into the fish room. I think i'm going to go with sand for teh substrate. Do you guys know where I can get some cheap black sand?
|
|
fuzzylogic
FORUM PARTICIPANT
tankoutlaws.com
Posts: 789
|
Post by fuzzylogic on Nov 12, 2011 17:01:51 GMT -6
yep TSC sells the media blasting media from a company called black diamond. its less than 10 dollars for 50 lb bag. I've never personally used it but if you do a google several people have put this in their aquariums with no ill effects. I was going to go that route because I wasn't about to pay 20 dolars a bag for tahitian moon sand
|
|
And some others to go with those guys. I might put a Front or 2 in my 55 (that's for you Mark). I'm just not sure what type of substrate would work well and look good... opinions please.
