SUBTRATE for fish-only tank

[justnu]

Went to pet-stores yesterday for info..and what an unbeleivable amount of MIXED info. I'm finding that it is best to post here and get informed information, rather than biast (which ever cost more) info from the owner. As mentioned I am starting a 150gal. fish-only tank soon. So I have no interest (really) in LR or LS. As for keeping clean, which is best....aragonite, regular sand or cr.coral? ALSO, i have read that for my 150gal. I should have 300watt heater.??correct? Pet store claimed I needed 400watts. (2, 200watts) BTW all he had was 50,100,200 Hmmmm... gimme a break. :> )
Thanks in advance

 

[diatom]

Just~
Why not leave it bare if you don't want any live sand or rock...it will make it easier to clean and you won't have anything to mess with if you decide to add sand later.
As far as the heaters...I could see what he's saying...it's better to have 2 smaller heaters then one larger one, in case one conks out on you then you have a second as a backup as it were. I've heard worse advice.

 

[mr . salty]

For substrate sand is far better than crushed coral.The sand will not trap excess food and fish waste.This trapped waste will break down and eventually contribute to high nitrate readings.Sand and live rock will also provide much needed area for denitrafying bacteria to live,thus giving your tank a much more stable bio system,and better water quality.I highly reccomend both a deep sand bed,and 1lb of live rock per gallon in any tank...As for the two smaller heaters,this is in case one of them malfunctions(stays on) it will not be powerfull enough to cook your tank before you can catch the problem.A single 400watt heater will boil your fish twice as quickly as a 200 watter will.....

 

[crablegs]

I use sand in my FO tank mainly because I hate to vacuum the substrate plus it freaks out my fish. With a fine grade sand everything stays on top so your clean up crew can get it. If you plan to go with something aggressive like triggers, lionfish, etc. you won't be able to keep a clean up crew and may not want to go with sand. I do use sand in my trigger tank but use a fairly small power head near the bottom to keep uneaten food from getting trapped in the substrate. I also agree with the two heaters, I keep mine in the sump out of site.