new tank??

[ronsunni]

Greetings everyone and thanks for any help in advance. The last time I had a saltwater aquarium was 1977 and things have changed. I’m starting a flat back hex 135gal. tank that someone in my family lost interest in (it was fresh water). This tank is set up with a wet dry filter (bio balls). I have cleaned the tank and lower sump and discarded the blue gravel. I have a RO/DI water filter to fill the tank.
Which marine salt do you recommend and what type of gravel, sand or crushed coral would be best and how many pounds is needed? Can I use play box sand?
I hope to do a reef tank.

 

[ty_05_f]

I use Instant Ocean Salt. I used playground sand but i sterilyzed it and washed it. Some sand won't work.

 

[crazy4reefs]

alot of people use instant ocean salt, it is a good choice. also i would recomend going with sand and not crushed coral. there are many benifits going with a deep sand bed. alot of people use southdown playsand from home depot. as long as its surgar sized and a bright white color it should work. im not positive about that advice but if you do a search on the board for sand you will find alot of information about it. hope this helps..
this is a great board with lots of info you can search for and also many knowledgeable people that will help you out. good luck

 

[reefersx2]

IMO silica based sand will cause bad algae growth so I would go with silica free sand I have heard that Cemex(formerly Southdown) is going to distribute throughout the US but who knows if they will or if it will be the same sand. As far as how much I have read that sand beds do best if over 4"and for a 6' footprint that is 60lbs an inch. Hope this helps and maybe some one else will have more info to help you out. I agree with the above using sugar sized sand but that is my personal preferance. I guess things have changed alot since you last had a tank you will find that alot more fish and coral are easily keeped that 10 years ago would have been unheard of .

 

[reefersx2]

Oh yea WELCOME

 

[karenjo]

Coral life is a great salt. Very quick dissolving. Easy to use for water changes as well. Welcome to the Board. Do some reading and you should learn a lot. I know that I sure have in recent weeks.