Need help quick!

[Amicus]

Am in need of help. I need to know if a saltwater aquarium needs an anaerobic layer and if so what can I use?
Thanks!

 

[mr_X]

no. it does not need that, but you can use live rock for this purpose.

 

[Amicus]

It is a 24 g nano. I figured that with the live rock I can use all the elements I can. Also I have a little more than 1.5lbs of aragonite per gallon.

 

[mr_X]

i'm not following you. you have live rock and a sand bed. you are ok. no need for anything else.

 

[Amicus]

I am new to saltwater, a buddy in the hobby suggested that I create an anaerobic layer and that I can use plain clay to create the layer. If I don't need one I am ok with that. I am using live rock in the tank and ceramic noodles, coarse filters and then live rr in the middle section. I want to gradually create a little reef.

 

[mr_X]

don't use any clay. you can get rid of the ceramic rings and filter media as well. either that or rinse them out regularly (weekly), or they will be a detritus collection spot and a source of nitrate.
the live rock has anaerobic areas in it. if you wanted more, you could just use a deeper sand bed (4" or more is recommended).

 

[Amicus]

Cool, so the lrr should be enough in the middle reservoir?

 

[Amicus]

Should I create a deeper sand bed? I figure I'll have maybe 2.5" of sand bed.

 

[mr_X]

if you want anaerobic zones in the sand bed i would go with 4".

 

[Amicus]

Thank for the advice.