ReefWeeds Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Hi all - I'm a new member but have been lurking for weeks! My husband and I are new to salt water reef keeping and we just set up a new BC 29. I have been researching sand beds here for quite some time and I can't seem to find anything conclusive for what I'm looking for advice on. I will apologize upfront as I know sand beds have been covered and I think I've read them all but I'm still really confused - I've seen lots of conflicting data on sand bed depth, but I'm really looking for advice if mine is too deep and I'm just setting myself up for a crash! Personally, I like the look of a deeper sand bed. However, I don't want to create a toxic explosion down the line. When setting ours up, we took some time to make sure it wasn't over 3 inches in depth and not under 1 inch. We want to get some sand sifting and burrowing "things" eventually, but now I'm worried. Is this too much from a safety standpoint? Here are some pictures of our BC 29 that we set up over the last couple days. We are looking to add in some more rock later today now that we are happy with the base set up. Any help/advice would be appreciated and thanks for your patience if this is repeated and/or too rookie! Stella Blue Link to comment
Pinner Reef Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Doesn't seem like too much to me. As long as all the rocks are sitting on the glass bottom you should have no issues. Generally you don't have to worry about it being "Deep" until it's ~4" or deeper. Link to comment
ReefWeeds Posted January 25, 2015 Author Share Posted January 25, 2015 Doesn't seem like too much to me. As long as all the rocks are sitting on the glass bottom you should have no issues. Generally you don't have to worry about it being "Deep" until it's ~4" or deeper. Thank you, Pinner Reef! I think i'm being paranoid after reading all the posts about sand beds. Toxic crashes started scaring me - and I haven't even added any beings yet Link to comment
Pinner Reef Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 No problem. There is a lot of conflicting info on the site (specially in regards to sand) so don't feel bad about the confusion. Also I meant to mention that your aquascape looks really nice. To N-R.com... Keep us updated as to how the tank is coming along! Link to comment
ReefWeeds Posted January 25, 2015 Author Share Posted January 25, 2015 Also I meant to mention that your aquascape looks really nice. To N-R.com... Keep us updated as to how the tank is coming along! thank you and thank you! I must've moved rocks around for a couple hours. I was driving my husband nuts, but I really wanted to make sure I started with something I liked. The awesome photos on N-R really helped. This is a great group. Link to comment
jtwisconsin Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 thank you and thank you! I must've moved rocks around for a couple hours. I was driving my husband nuts, but I really wanted to make sure I started with something I liked. The awesome photos on N-R really helped. This is a great group. I'm still moving around rocks in my 40B and driving my wife crazy. And your aquascape looks great! Link to comment
Azedenkae Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Yeah, that sand bed doesn't look bad to me. XD To be honest, in an established system with healthy fish, a lot of them will sift the sand for you anyways. My Clowns and Blue Tang and stuff digs through my sand all the time anyways. This is my tank before I tore it down: http://sosofishy.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/product-review-cermedia-marine-pure.html My sand bed is approximately as thick as yours, I do believe. If you scroll down a bit, you'll see where my Clarkii has dug through the sand and expose the Marine Pure block I use. XD So yes, fish will dig all the way to the bottom to do... whatever. And they will do that all over the aquarium so no worries. Those whose fish don't do that... I don't really know what to suggest, but I feel like it should be natural behaviour to me. >.o Even when I kept freshwater it seemed like EVERYTHING dug through the gravel/sand. XD Link to comment
Amphiprion1 Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Should be fine. Unless you are looking for the sand bed to be a primay means of filtration or serve a specific purpose, then it shouldn't be an issue. You can alter, siphon, etc. as you see fit. If it makes you feel any better, I maintained a tank with a sand bed of that same approximate depth for years. Link to comment
ReefWeeds Posted January 25, 2015 Author Share Posted January 25, 2015 Thank you jtwisconsin - sounds like rock moving is never truly done Interesting post/article/blog Azedenkae! Now of course i'm reading up on Marine Pure blocks. Right now, using live rock/rubble in chamber 2 of the BC29. Of course, I have no fish yet - or even inverts - so I can't say how well it will work! Should be fine. Unless you are looking for the sand bed to be a primay means of filtration or serve a specific purpose, then it shouldn't be an issue. You can alter, siphon, etc. as you see fit. If it makes you feel any better, I maintained a tank with a sand bed of that same approximate depth for years. YES! Definitely makes me feel better. All of you made me get over my panic attack over the depth of the sand bed. Oy. I wonder how many more panic attacks will come once I start adding more than just sand, rock and water! Link to comment
Azedenkae Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 YES! Definitely makes me feel better. All of you made me get over my panic attack over the depth of the sand bed. Oy. I wonder how many more panic attacks will come once I start adding more than just sand, rock and water! So, so, so many panic attacks lol. And emergencies. There was this one time I overdosed Prime (I found out that yes, one can actually overdose it). In the middle of the storm, I had to drive to the beach to collect seawater to do a massive water change. =.= My fiancee told me after that if I keep on having to do all that, she's kicking the fish out lol. XD But anyways, thanks for the compliment. Yeah, I set up that blog to write up my opinions on stuff, and also to track my tank progressions. I am only just starting to re-set up my aquarium now after tearing it down (went on holidays, didn't trust anyone to take care of it). Anyways yada yada yada. Essentially don't worry. XD This hobby CAN be stressful, but don't make it too stressful, otherwise it is not enjoyable anymore. Link to comment
ndrobey Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 As long as you add sand sifters down the road, everything should be fine. Nice rockscape. Link to comment
Egginis Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 As other members have stated, your sand depth I'd fine. You should not have any issues and a sand sifter will aid in keeping it clean and free of detritus. Keep in mind that many sand sifters and the shrimp that come along will really move the sand around. This of course is their primary purpose and desirable. The only drawback is that you must be careful of coral placement as they will bury rock, and coral under the sand. This becomes irritating when you constantly have to move things around. Some sand sifter are more efficient than others, so do your research before choosing which fish to add. Best of luck. Link to comment
LynnO Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Just wanted to say I love your aquascape! Your rock looks very similar to mine - I got them from Reef Cleaners, and I love them! Best of luck to you! Link to comment
ReefWeeds Posted January 25, 2015 Author Share Posted January 25, 2015 Just wanted to say I love your aquascape! Your rock looks very similar to mine - I got them from Reef Cleaners, and I love them! Best of luck to you! Thank you!! I love the rocks as well. We have a great LFS (I'm learning the lingo finally!!) within 25 minutes and they have been SO helpful. As other members have stated, your sand depth I'd fine. You should not have any issues and a sand sifter will aid in keeping it clean and free of detritus. Keep in mind that many sand sifters and the shrimp that come along will really move the sand around. This of course is their primary purpose and desirable. The only drawback is that you must be careful of coral placement as they will bury rock, and coral under the sand. This becomes irritating when you constantly have to move things around. Some sand sifter are more efficient than others, so do your research before choosing which fish to add. Best of luck. OOO! Very good advice. Thank you! As long as you add sand sifters down the road, everything should be fine. Nice rockscape. Thank you! I love watching sand sifters so that's the plan (for now). A couple of clowns and a sifter or two. So, so, so many panic attacks lol. And emergencies. There was this one time I overdosed Prime (I found out that yes, one can actually overdose it). In the middle of the storm, I had to drive to the beach to collect seawater to do a massive water change. =.= Essentially don't worry. XD This hobby CAN be stressful, but don't make it too stressful, otherwise it is not enjoyable anymore. Good thing you were close enough to the ocean!! And the last line is great advice. I can't thank you all enough. What a great welcome. Just got back from the LFS and got a cool rock with some great coraline on it. Link to comment
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