I agree with Shane... remove the UG filter and crushed coral, if you are
planning on giving that true undersea life look the crushed aragonite mixed
with fine sand would not only looking better but many of the sea life
critters(clean up crew) do not like crushed coral.
-----Original Message-----
From: Shane Clays [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2001 3:57 PM
To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]'
Subject: RE: filter change suggestions
Chris,
This is a subject that will have many different opinions to many varying
degrees. Some ppl love sand beds and plenums and others do not. Personaly, I
would remove the UG filter ASAP. I would then place the rock back into the
tank on the bottom and place a thin (.25-.50 inch) of sand in the tank
towards the front. I would use a mixed substrate of fine oolitic sand and
some small sized crushed aragonite instead of your crushed coral and shells.
I am assuming that the tufa base rock you are using is actually live rock,
and the LR you mention is a nicer type of live rock. Is that correct? If
that is the case, that gives you 95 pounds total of LR. My reccomendation
would be to add another 50 to 80 pounds of LR. You can then use your LR as
the basis for your biological filtration in the tank. 95 pounds sounds a
little shy of the amount of LR you should be using. Then, the sand is more
for looks. You can use live sand, and that will benefit the system, but you
wont be relying on it as a means of filtration for the tank. Then make sure
your skimmer is adequate, dont overstock and you should be okay.
Couple of questions. What types of corals do you plan on keeping and what
type of lighting do you have (or plan on getting)?
IMO
Shane C.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chris & June Sisemore [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2001 4:54 PM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: filter change suggestions
>
> Hello all
>
> My name is Chris from Nashville Tn. I am new to reefkeeping as well as
> "the list".
> I recently (8 weeks ago) set up a 150 gal tank with an undergravel filter
> using crushed coral & shell substrate. I added 50 lbs. of tufa base & 45
> lbs. LR. To date the tank has cycled well but I question the long term
> success of the UG filter. I am considering changing to live sand or a
> plenum. Do I need to start over or Just cap off th UG filter & add live
> sand?
>
> P.S. Additional filtration, I have a protien skimmer & an Emperor 400.
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