Substrate Question

[SaltwaterNoobs]

Inherited an old tank from my brother and sister in law who have given up on fish. It is a 20 gallon and has a black substrate in it that I am not sure is reef friendly or not. I have only ever used live tan sand in my tanks, and never knew a lot about other types of substrate. This stuff is not quite sand, but not gravelly. I have attached a photo of it in my hand so you get an idea for how big the granules are. I plan to make this tank a home for clowns only, no coral, and maybe an RBTA. Would this substrate suit a tank like that? Or would it be a better idea to get rid of it and put in regular sand? I have a 10 pound bag of (now dead) sand that I can put in the tank WITH this substrate, too. What do you all think?? I'm stuck at the moment and would like to get water in it and start cycling it today. Thanks!!

 

[DonW]

It should be fine its up to you. Personally I would not use sand from anyones tank. Sterile dead sand is really all that is needed.

Don

 

[Tuku4u]

IMO, if you are unsure if the substrate is reef friendly, then I would ditch it and get something you know is for a fact. Putting in fish and an anemone just to have them die because of some freak thing with substrate could be costly not to mention a pain to have to take it out later and redo your tank. Just a thought. :yo:

 

[SaltwaterNoobs]

It should be fine its up to you. Personally I would not use sand from anyones tank. Sterile dead sand is really all that is needed.

Don

IMO, if you are unsure if the substrate is reef friendly, then I would ditch it and get something you know is for a fact. Putting in fish and an anemone just to have them die because of some freak thing with substrate could be costly not to mention a pain to have to take it out later and redo your tank. Just a thought. :yo:

Well I'm not putting the clownfish and anemone in yet, this tank has to cycle first. I should have mentioned earlier that is *was* a freshwater planted tank with a puffer fish in it. I just wasn't sure if this type of substrate tends to trap detritus or not, or if it would be an okay substrate for a sandsifter star. I'm starting the tank over brand new (already cleaned out the black substrate with scalding water) and making it saltwater. But if you think the substrate is okay for what I intend on using the tank for, then that is all I need to know to get some water in it and start the cycle process I was thinking it looked pretty nice, and would make the liverock and clowns/nem really stand out.

Thanks for your feedback!

 

[DonW]

Well I'm not putting the clownfish and anemone in yet, this tank has to cycle first. I should have mentioned earlier that is *was* a freshwater planted tank with a puffer fish in it. I just wasn't sure if this type of substrate tends to trap detritus or not, or if it would be an okay substrate for a sandsifter star. I'm starting the tank over brand new (already cleaned out the black substrate with scalding water) and making it saltwater. But if you think the substrate is okay for what I intend on using the tank for, then that is all I need to know to get some water in it and start the cycle process I was thinking it looked pretty nice, and would make the liverock and clowns/nem really stand out.

Thanks for your feedback!

Dont use substrate from fresh water tanks. Copper is commonly used in FW. Just throw it away.

 

[SaltwaterNoobs]

Dont use substrate from fresh water tanks. Copper is commonly used in FW. Just throw it away.

Oh yikes, good to know. Thank you!! To the trash it goes!

 

[N1Husker]

Most black sand is volcanic and therefore the sand has sharp edges, not good for sand sifters. This is according to an inquiry I sent to CaribSea. Don is right, don't use freshwater sand in a salt tank.