Your Take: Substrate Thickness and Composition

[dmweise]

We have had a lot of new users join over the past few months so I figured I'd make a proposal/first edition.

There has been a lot of discussion lately about substrate composition and thickness of said substrate. I would like this post to be a place for everyone to state their substrate thickness and composition, as well as relative water parameter stability. Pros and Cons with your substrate should be mentioned too.

[dmweise]

My substrate is a combination of live sand and crushed coral. The live sand is an argonate base. The crushed coral is not mixed into the sand completely but there forms the top layer. All together it is an inch thick, maybe a bit thicker.

Tank parameters are generally stable however nitrates seem to be a problem. I think this occurs because the sand does not get moved around enough because the sand inhabitants have to emerge above the crushed coral before being mobile.

Having the crushed coral on the top provides a good surface for ornamental macro algae to attach to and provides a good place for pods to breed. It also provides avoid surface for algae growth, my lawnmower blenny loves rolling the crushed coral bits in his mouth. Unfortunately it also prevents stirring by sand inhabitants.

[Daniel]

I run no substrate in either sump nor display.

Ph 8.1-8.3 must be regularly maintained
Rest of Parameters are consistent

Pros - No sand particles getting into mag float and scratching glass, no sand storms, good flow under rocks, easy to clean, no place for nitrates to get trapped and build up.

Cons - PH stability, no extra places for critters to breed, less surface area for bacteria to grown on, detritus is more readily visible (this can also be a pro).

Daniel