?Substrate question?

docspyro · 12-30-2003, 10:15 PM

I am starting up a new saltwater fish only tank. I want to try using a black substrate this time; would Caribsea Aragalive indo-pacific substrate bea good idea to use? Also will it affect the pH and keep it stable?Any suggestions on what to use would be helpful..thanks

fidojoe · 12-31-2003, 02:33 AM

I don't think that the black stuff is real aragonite, just silica, so it wouldn't help with the PH at all. That is really your only option for a black sand substrate, but you could also use starboard, as I beleive it is available in black.

fidojoe · 12-31-2003, 02:34 AM

Oh, and WELCOME to ReefSanctuary

Travis · 12-31-2003, 12:48 PM

Personally, I don't consider a substrate's pH buffering capacity when adding to the tank. You're better off ignoring it and

A) getting the substrate you want and

B) not depending on it, testing and adjusting your pH as if there were no buffering there at all. Then you don't make the mistake of depending on it.

Let us know how it works out! I love the idea of a black substrate myself.

Travis

JennM · 01-01-2004, 09:40 PM

I concur with Travis.

The Indo Black stuff looks nice - we have put it in a few new installs.

Jenn

mwrager · 01-01-2004, 10:25 PM

WELCOME to ReefSanctuary

Deuce · 01-20-2004, 12:27 PM

How often shold you clean the substrate with syphon. i am starting to notice a few areas of substrate starting to brown. I am using about 2" deep argonite crushed substrate.

mwrager · 01-20-2004, 12:34 PM

Welcome Deuce to the Sanctuary. As to cleaning the substrate. I dont clean my substrate. I use crabs and snails to clean it.

Deuce · 01-20-2004, 12:51 PM

I have 3 snails working OT on the back glass and rock. Is it normal to have the slight brown coloration on the substrate. What about using a cuke for det removal. I don't have a lot of room on the floor so I don't want a sand sifting star.

Deuce · 01-20-2004, 12:59 PM

Thank you for the warm welcome to the reef mwrager. I see that you are in Gilbert. I live in the east valley as well. Are there any local reefers that meet on occassion? Where do you get fish from locally? I have tried both All Aquatics and Aquarium Arts. Are these good/bad ?

Gina · 01-20-2004, 06:01 PM

What you are talking about sounds like a normal occurence when first starting up. We had a outbreak of algae (brown) for about 1 week then it slowly went away. When I asked about it on another forum we belonged to I was told it was a normal process.

As far as clean-up go with snails and we got a fighting conch that has made the world of difference with keeping our sand clean!

jks1 · 01-20-2004, 07:15 PM

Welcome Dueceand Docs!

Docs- I think the black would look cool, take a pic if you can

Duece- how big is your tank? I use snails/hermits/conchs etc to keep my sand bed cleaned as well. Maybe you just need to add a few more.

mwrager · 01-20-2004, 08:50 PM

Deuce, you have a PM.

12-30-2003, 10:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
docspyro Tubeworm Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 33 View Gallery Karma Komment	?Substrate question? I am starting up a new saltwater fish only tank. I want to try using a black substrate this time; would Caribsea Aragalive indo-pacific substrate bea good idea to use? Also will it affect the pH and keep it stable?Any suggestions on what to use would be helpful..thanks __________________ Ray 1 year 55 gallon reef Movin' up to 90 or better....

12-31-2003, 02:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
fidojoe Fish Addict Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,584 View Gallery Karma Komment	I don't think that the black stuff is real aragonite, just silica, so it wouldn't help with the PH at all. That is really your only option for a black sand substrate, but you could also use starboard, as I beleive it is available in black. __________________ *Member "Crabs Are Evil" Society* My Tank: 90g AGA, 18g tall sump, CSS 220 w/ meshmod impeller, 4x54w Tek T5 retro w/ IC reflectors, Kalk reactor w/ aquamedic niveaumat system, a few SPS, LPS, zoos, and a few softies, 2 Ocellaris Clowns (hosted by both a RBTA and GBTA), Yellow Watchman, Potter's angel, Yellow Tang, Foxface, Midas Blenny, Purple Pseudo, huge brittle star, 2 tigertail cukes, fire shrimp, snails, and unfortunately two emerald crabs (the bubble algae got out of control).

12-31-2003, 02:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
fidojoe Fish Addict Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,584 View Gallery Karma Komment	Oh, and WELCOME to ReefSanctuary __________________ *Member "Crabs Are Evil" Society* My Tank: 90g AGA, 18g tall sump, CSS 220 w/ meshmod impeller, 4x54w Tek T5 retro w/ IC reflectors, Kalk reactor w/ aquamedic niveaumat system, a few SPS, LPS, zoos, and a few softies, 2 Ocellaris Clowns (hosted by both a RBTA and GBTA), Yellow Watchman, Potter's angel, Yellow Tang, Foxface, Midas Blenny, Purple Pseudo, huge brittle star, 2 tigertail cukes, fire shrimp, snails, and unfortunately two emerald crabs (the bubble algae got out of control).

12-31-2003, 12:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
Travis Smilie Bartender Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 6,890 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Personally, I don't consider a substrate's pH buffering capacity when adding to the tank. You're better off ignoring it and A) getting the substrate you want and B) not depending on it, testing and adjusting your pH as if there were no buffering there at all. Then you don't make the mistake of depending on it. Let us know how it works out! I love the idea of a black substrate myself. Travis __________________ Help build the Encyclopedia of ReefKeeping Find over 1400 Reef Aquarium Articles at The Reef Aquarium Index

01-01-2004, 09:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
JennM Bryozoan Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Canton, GA Posts: 49 View Gallery Karma Komment	I concur with Travis. The Indo Black stuff looks nice - we have put it in a few new installs. Jenn __________________ JennM Owner:Imagine Ocean

01-01-2004, 10:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
mwrager Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert AZ Posts: 1,068 View Gallery Karma Komment	WELCOME to ReefSanctuary __________________ Mark Some days I realy feel old! http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Banners/RS_banner3.gif

01-20-2004, 12:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
Deuce Tunicate Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3 View Gallery Karma Komment	How often shold you clean the substrate with syphon. i am starting to notice a few areas of substrate starting to brown. I am using about 2" deep argonite crushed substrate.

01-20-2004, 12:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
mwrager Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert AZ Posts: 1,068 View Gallery Karma Komment	Welcome Deuce to the Sanctuary. As to cleaning the substrate. I dont clean my substrate. I use crabs and snails to clean it. __________________ Mark Some days I realy feel old! http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Banners/RS_banner3.gif

01-20-2004, 12:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
Deuce Tunicate Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3 View Gallery Karma Komment	I have 3 snails working OT on the back glass and rock. Is it normal to have the slight brown coloration on the substrate. What about using a cuke for det removal. I don't have a lot of room on the floor so I don't want a sand sifting star.

01-20-2004, 12:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
Deuce Tunicate Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thank you for the warm welcome to the reef mwrager. I see that you are in Gilbert. I live in the east valley as well. Are there any local reefers that meet on occassion? Where do you get fish from locally? I have tried both All Aquatics and Aquarium Arts. Are these good/bad ?

01-20-2004, 06:01 PM	#11 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,842 View Gallery Karma Komment	What you are talking about sounds like a normal occurence when first starting up. We had a outbreak of algae (brown) for about 1 week then it slowly went away. When I asked about it on another forum we belonged to I was told it was a normal process. As far as clean-up go with snails and we got a fighting conch that has made the world of difference with keeping our sand clean! __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

01-20-2004, 07:15 PM	#12 (permalink)
jks1 Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 876 View Gallery Karma Komment	Welcome Dueceand Docs! Docs- I think the black would look cool, take a pic if you can Duece- how big is your tank? I use snails/hermits/conchs etc to keep my sand bed cleaned as well. Maybe you just need to add a few more. __________________ John Tank: 29g glass Pumps: Mag5.0 return - (3) rio 100 PHs Lighting: (1) 150w XM 10K/(2) 30W actinics Equipment: Aqua C Urchin skimmer- CPR Fuge, Titanium Heater -Red Sea wavemaster Pro Tank: 210g 1/2" Acrylic, dual overflows, 75g glass sump w/ 20g fuge. Pumps: Mag24 return - (2) MAG24s running 2 closed loop systems. Lighting: (3) 400w XM 10K/(2) Custom Sealife 96w PC - 25w dimmable incandescent Moonlight Equipment: Aqua C EV180 skimmer - CR500 calc reactor - Titanium Heater - AquaLogic single Stage Temp Controller - Aquanetics 1/5Hp Chiller - Neptune sys aquacontroller

01-20-2004, 08:50 PM	#13 (permalink)
mwrager Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert AZ Posts: 1,068 View Gallery Karma Komment	Deuce, you have a PM. __________________ Mark Some days I realy feel old! http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Banners/RS_banner3.gif

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