new salt tank
- Thread starter jpestel
- Start date
dsa_mom
Member
While there are people on this BB who have and use an UGF, by far the most people will tell you that is somewhat outdated technology and not commonly used in new set-ups at this time. Can't give you the scientific rationale, though.
Lots of people use crushed coral, its a topic of debate vs. a deep sand bed. The bottom line is, don't mix the two. If you have coral and want to go with that, its fine, just vacuum it when you do water changes to get the detrius out. If you do a search on this bulletin board for previous discussions on deep sand beds, you might decide that you would prefer to use a dsb. Lots of people have switched from crushed coral to sand, and they all say its easier to do up front than after starting. So keep reading and good luck!
Lots of people use crushed coral, its a topic of debate vs. a deep sand bed. The bottom line is, don't mix the two. If you have coral and want to go with that, its fine, just vacuum it when you do water changes to get the detrius out. If you do a search on this bulletin board for previous discussions on deep sand beds, you might decide that you would prefer to use a dsb. Lots of people have switched from crushed coral to sand, and they all say its easier to do up front than after starting. So keep reading and good luck!
kev
Member
I highly reccomend that you take out the CC and put in a sand bed of at least 2-3in. Im not sayin CC is bad in any way(I used to have it) but with a sand bed, you'll have alot better luck with sustaining low nitrate lvls. When I had CC I always had to do water changes to keep my nitrates below 40ppm, after I made the switch, not only do I never have to vacuum the tank, but I kept my nitrates at 0. You say your tank is a new one, and I would make the switch before you add any fish. I think nearly everyone that has a live sand bed started off with CC(this is always what the LFS says to have) and after they made the switch they were happy. I looks more natural too IMO. HTH 
fshhub
Active Member
well put, i prefer a dsb to cc and ugf's, had both, hadd a mix, and now only have dsb
don't mean to be too forward but i particularly dont care for wet dry's either, IMO i would prefer to have a dsb and skimmer for most systems,
now don't get me wrong teh other methods do and can work, but as mentioned adsb is easier to switch out now and much more preferred amoungst most of us besides the switch now would also be a big benifit if you decide later it is a major PIA in comparison to switch later after you have adopted fishes
as for options, what options are you looking for, fish reccomendations?
if so, keep in mind that in a 30 galllon you are limited, i would only get 2 or 3 smaller fish that will stay small, like a pair of clowns or damsels or firefish or something like that and a lawnmower blenny to help with algae and personality
beyond that welcome to a great addiction
don't mean to be too forward but i particularly dont care for wet dry's either, IMO i would prefer to have a dsb and skimmer for most systems,
now don't get me wrong teh other methods do and can work, but as mentioned adsb is easier to switch out now and much more preferred amoungst most of us besides the switch now would also be a big benifit if you decide later it is a major PIA in comparison to switch later after you have adopted fishes
as for options, what options are you looking for, fish reccomendations?
if so, keep in mind that in a 30 galllon you are limited, i would only get 2 or 3 smaller fish that will stay small, like a pair of clowns or damsels or firefish or something like that and a lawnmower blenny to help with algae and personality
beyond that welcome to a great addiction