Planing To Start Marine Tank Setup

[MaNkiND]

I was thinking of maybe going 2" of live sand because im pretty sure that live sand acts as a filter, and also good forinvertebrates. However, i may not get LS if invertebrates do fine in crushed coral.
Is there anything to measures the specific gravity?
Ill obviously buy a refractometer.

 

[Aquascaper]

A refractometer measures specific gravity

Live Sand will have no affect on Inverts at all, all it is is crushed coral (or similar) that has been packaged with seawater to keep the bugs alive. Yes, ok, there will be food sources contained within but nothing that you won't find on qulaity Live Rock.

In the long run Live Rock will do more for your tank both visually and biologically and therefore a better financial investment.

 

[MaNkiND]

I am definately getting LR so now the question comes upon LS or crushed coral. Does crushed coral provide a natural habitat for invertebrates. Also what is the difference between LS and crushed coral (not physically but like bioligically)?

Thx

 

[Aquascaper]

Dictionary definition of 'Sand': Small loose grains of worn or disintegrated rock.

Live Sand and Crushed Coral are one and the same, just at different stages of erosion

As I've said before, Live Sand is just substrate that has been packaged with natural seawater to maintain the bacterial life living on the substarte particles. Crushed coral is bits of coral that have broken off reefs and, when you buy it in the LFS, it is devoid of bacterial life, just the same as Argonite Sand, etc.

 

[MaNkiND]

I think you've convinced me to go for crushed coral. Is it easier to maintain than LS, and does it still give that sandish feel?
Can i get maybe about 4" of curshed coral?

 

[Aquascaper]

I think you've convinced me to go for crushed coral. Is it easier to maintain than LS, and does it still give that sandish feel?

There is nothing to maintain, the bacteria are there whether you like it or not, how fast you get them depends on whether you buy good live rock or not. As for 'sandish feel' that will depend on what grade (partical size) you buy.

Can i get maybe about 4" of curshed coral?

Why, when it's already been explained that over 3" is getting beyond your capabilities, would you want to have 4" of crushed coral? You still seem to be under the impression that live sand and crushed coral are two totally different things................they aren't.

 

[MaNkiND]

K so crushed coral is very similar to LS. I got that part. Then ill go with maybe 2.5-3" of crushed coral. I'll try to find something that looks mainly like LS or gives the sandish feel.
Btw, do like chain stores (such as petsmart or so) or lfs sell sumps? I really havent seen them
Could i buy them online, as im planning to buy most of my LR and equipment from doctor fosters and smith/ liveaquaria?

Hey aquascape, i really appreciate all the help.

 

[Aquascaper]

You will only find ready made sumps from LFS that sell marines or online, chain stores won't sell them but they will sell bare tanks. These are ideal (and a hell of a lot cheaper) to create your own sump by adding sheets of glass or acrylic to form the baffles, weirs, etc.

You can buy crushed coral in different grades so just choose one you like the look of.

 

[MaNkiND]

Ill look into a DIY sump. Is their a site or a thread on the forum that would help me in understanding how to make the sump?
Sorry couldnt get the pic of the tank as their was a blizzard

 

[bunjiweb]

Look here for an example done by one of the TFF Members
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...2&hl=Sump&st=16

And Here (as originally posted by Mr Miagi)
http/www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

Ben

 

[MaNkiND]

Look here for an example done by one of the TFF Members
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...2&hl=Sump&st=16

And Here (as originally posted by Mr Miagi)
http/www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

Ben

Thx the melevsreef site helped alot. I'm still debating onto wheter or not i should go into it. I'm going to go check my lfs for any sumps soon, and if they do (prob won't) then i probaly wont go into it. But if they dont then my only option is to build a sump.

Do any sites sell sumps? Like maybe liveaquaria/dr.foster and smith?

 

[Aquascaper]

Building a sump is dead easy and saves a whole heap of money. The only difficult bit is cutting the glass or acrylic, if you have to get someone to do that for you then just silicone it all together.

BTW, the sump in that forum link is one of my designs

 

[MaNkiND]

Building a sump is dead easy and saves a whole heap of money. The only difficult bit is cutting the glass or acrylic, if you have to get someone to do that for you then just silicone it all together.

BTW, the sump in that forum link is one of my designs

Your sump design is real nice
K i think ill look more into building a sump ....

 

[Aquascaper]

1) Work out how big a sump you can fit under the tank
2) Work out what you want to have in the sump
3) Check out all the DIY sump websites
4) Pick a design
5) Measure up what extra glass or acrylic you need
6) Cut it yourself or pay someone to do it
7) Silicone it all together

It really is that simple, obviously if you want a complex design to incorporate various methods of filtration, etc. then buying one outright may be an easier way to go for the novice. For your standard sump thought its easy, largely due to the fact that its not a show tank and the joins are not loadbearing (ie. tank walls) therefore you can get away with it looking a bit messy. Also, its quite satisfying building your own and having exactly what you want with no compromise

 

[MaNkiND]

Thx, ill be looking into it