Help- can I do Saltwater with what I have?

[mblock]

I just got a 55g tank 3 days ago and too quickly went out and purchaced things for it. I got 50lbs of a large "pebble" type substrate and some tank decorations (rocks, plants). My question is can I use these for a fish-only tank? No LR or LS, just fish. I know the recommended substrate is crushed coral and sand, but for fish only can I use the pebbles? If I have to eat the $30 I spent on the substrate and get coral or sand I will, but I am curious why it shouldnt work. I have no fish in the tank now, only water hopefully waiting for salt.

 

[jjboods]

2 50 pound bags of Southdown Playsand from Home Depot would be less than $10 total...if you have a Home Depot in your area.

 

[steve40]

I WENT TO HOME DEPOT AND BOUGHT THE SAND AND YEAH ITS ALOT LESS THEN $10 MAYBE $5 WORKS JUST THE SAME
THE ONLY THING IF YOU BUY THAT SAND MAKE SURE YOU CLEAN IT WELL SO THAT YOUR TANK DOES NOT STAY CLOUDY, ALL I DID WAS PUT THE SAND INTO A BUCKET AND PUT A HOSE INTO IT AND LET IT OVER FLOW UNTIL THE WATER COMMING OUT WAS PRETTY CLEAR THEN TOOK THE HOSE OUT AND PUT THE SAND IN MY TANK. SO MUCH CHEAPER.

 

[jjboods]

I recommend AGAINST rinsing the sand. You end up rinsing away some good stuff. I put the sand in my tank and THEN the water. Crystal clear in under 12 hours.

 

[robchuck]

To answer your original question mblock, you can use the pebble type gravel, but I'll give you a few arguments against using it. First of all, asthetics. Pebble type gravel is not the substrate in natural reefs, and if you're looking to recreate a piece of the ocean, you probably want to go with something that will simulate the ocean (ie sand, cc, etc.). Second, the gravel is MUCH coarser than sand, and will trap detritus which will make your nitrates go up, unless you constantly vacuum it. A sandbed works to denitrify your water, and is much less maintenance. HTH, and welcome to the hobby.

 

[ntvflgirl]

I would suggest reading upon the hobby before diving in. Javatech gave me a pretty good site yesterday...I'll pass it on to you. Check it out before buying anything else. Good luck, and welcome.
http://www.simplifiedreefkeeping.com/faq/faq.htm
It's mostly for reef type systems, but set up is just about the same, minus lighting. Good info, though.
HTH

 

[dburr]

ntvflgirl is right- read, read and read again.
IMO, (in my opion) I would use the souhtdown sand if you can find it, and do not rinse it. That small stuff is what you want in the tank. It'll take a week to clear, but you'll like it in the end. If you can't get that, go with another type of sand like quickcrete play sand. CC is the same as the pebble stuff you have, meaning it will clog up and that will mean more maintiance.
Live rock is good to also, it helps with the break down of waste and hiding places for fish and other organisms. You can make your own if money is a problem and time is on your hands. here is a web site that will tell you how. garf.org
I have done alot of DIY projects and saved alot of money. But I like to do that kind of stuff also.
The biggest mistake IMO people make in this hobby is they want an instint reef or FO (fish only) tank. It take's time, you must take your time or you will have problems later on down the road.
Please read some of the posts and search for a good book or website, and read.
HTH (hope this helps) good luck and welcome to the board.
DBurr
PS if you can't return the pebbles, use them in potted plants, it looks great.

 

[luvnluk]

I would agree with the valuable advice of the above posts. I started with crushed coral and later switched to a DSB (deep sand bed). Not only is it more asthetically pleasing, but it provides a higher quality biological filtraion that does not require vacuuming - as with CC.

 

[mblock]

Thanks all for the replys...
The only problem that I had thought of with not using sand or CC was the debris in the pebbles, so if I am careful with cleaning it sounds like I will be ok.
Right now for filtration I only have a hang on "Penguin330" filter, and from what Ive read that should be good for the first 6 months to a year in which I only have 2 or 3 fish. I understand the majority recommendation is to have a skimmer especially with a large biological load, although it seems like there is also some who recommend staying away from them all together?
I would have no problem going with LS or CC, other than the complete tare-down of the tank it would require. As it is right now the tank just started cycling, so I would be that much farther away from buying my first fish!

 

[jjboods]

Lilbuddy,
Where did you get this list of do's and don'ts. I don't think it is 100% accurate.
1. Cycling a tank - most here would recommend cycling with raw shrimp from the supermarkets, not with damsels.
2. My temperature is usually at 80 degrees and I think I've seen someone...might have been Bang Guy, Sammy, or JonFB...say that theirs is even higher and that the corals responded well to it.
3. Although it is a good practice, it's not a must to quarentine new fish if you buy from a reputable dealer and look for signs of good and bad health.
4. As for mixing same species fish...this is true some of the time, not all. And even then, not always true all the time for each species. Example...chromis do better in schools. Yellow tangs should be kept alone...but can be kept in a school...2-3 is a problem, Black and white heniochus do well in schools, clowns do well in pairs. Again...each case is very different.
These are just some of my observations...any sharks, feel free to correct me if need be.

 

[dburr]

OK, both you guys got some good points. I think we have a case of old school/ new school going on. Your tank~your choice (hows that broomer ) If it works in your tank great, if not, change it.
Mblock, OK, yes you could use your pebbles. It's OK for now, but if you run into high nitrates later (which most of us battle) you may have to take the pebbles out. Which may cycle the tank, not good. I would recommend setting up the tank the best way you can. Pebbles really aren't the best. Southdown playsand is only 4.50 a 50# bag. Cheap.
Somethings you don't need, I agree, like a skimmer .
I'm just saying it's easier now than later, and later you will have more time to look at the fish instead of vacuuming their poop.
HTH