Rob
Aquarium Advice Newbie
Hi all. I just came across this site and have learned quite a bit the past few days. I was recently given a 120 gallon FOWLR tank. I've decided to slowly work on converting it to a reef tank. I've upgraded all my hardware to what I'll need for a reef tank, and now plan on working on the tank itself. Currently it has some kind of gravel substrate w/ broken shells. I want to convert it over to an argonite based sand and create a deep sea bed.
I currently have 4 fish (cardinal, blenny and 2 clowns), about 80 various snails, about 30 hermit crabs, 2 brittle stars, 3 shrimp, and 2 green mithrax crabs. There is also about 50-60 pounds of LR. Everything is doing good right now.
I have a few questions:
1. Should I replace the gravel w/ sand, or put the sand on top of the gravel? (I want about 4 inches of sand) If I replace the gravel, should I do it all at once, or in stages? Should I only replace part of the gravel?
2. I have a 35 gallon tall tank I was going to set up as a quarantine tank. Would it be a good idea to move all the critters to this tank for a few days while I replace the sand and let it settle, or should I leave them in there? Not sure what would cause the least stress.
3. Should my rock rest on top of the sand, or should I put the rock in, and put the sand around it? Does it matter? I plan to buy more rock in the future, but I can create a bottom layer with what I have.
4. How much sand would I need to get a 4 inch bed? The measurements are 60"l x 18"w x 24"h. I plan to find a cheap argonite sand and mix it with some live sand.
That's all I can think of right now. Thanks for any help you can give.
I currently have 4 fish (cardinal, blenny and 2 clowns), about 80 various snails, about 30 hermit crabs, 2 brittle stars, 3 shrimp, and 2 green mithrax crabs. There is also about 50-60 pounds of LR. Everything is doing good right now.
I have a few questions:
1. Should I replace the gravel w/ sand, or put the sand on top of the gravel? (I want about 4 inches of sand) If I replace the gravel, should I do it all at once, or in stages? Should I only replace part of the gravel?
2. I have a 35 gallon tall tank I was going to set up as a quarantine tank. Would it be a good idea to move all the critters to this tank for a few days while I replace the sand and let it settle, or should I leave them in there? Not sure what would cause the least stress.
3. Should my rock rest on top of the sand, or should I put the rock in, and put the sand around it? Does it matter? I plan to buy more rock in the future, but I can create a bottom layer with what I have.
4. How much sand would I need to get a 4 inch bed? The measurements are 60"l x 18"w x 24"h. I plan to find a cheap argonite sand and mix it with some live sand.
That's all I can think of right now. Thanks for any help you can give.
