Saltwater & Reef

Boogety48 · 01-09-2012, 11:55 PM

My brother gave me a 20 gal tank and stand yesterday so now I have a new project on my hands. I have to clean it because it was in his attic. I have to get parts for it and put everything together. I thought I might post updates so I can get advice or ideas from everyone on what to do with it once I get it going. Here is my beginning pictures before I clean it or doing anything to it.

Fishie · 01-10-2012, 12:05 AM

Cool hope you do great on the "project" looks good condition though. Have any idea what you might stock it with?? Anything planned? Good luck though !!

Boogety48 · 01-10-2012, 01:20 AM

I haven't thought about what fish yet except my corys will be going to this tank and its going to have sand instead of gravel. My other tank have gravel but I want a completely different look with this one.

Boogety48 · 01-10-2012, 08:54 PM

Well I cleaned the tank and it holds water, so that's a good start.

AquaKai · 01-10-2012, 08:56 PM

Lookin good! I love a good build

. Hope everything turns out alright! 20g is great size plenty of room for stocking!!!!

Boogety48 · 01-11-2012, 11:06 PM

What is the best substrate to use? I have gravel in my other tanks but I want a completely different look in this tank. I was think about sand but I'm reading some bad stuff about it. Is there something else you can use instead of gravel or sand that will look as good? This is going to be a freshwater tank. I'm not brave enough yet to try saltwater.

**Mumma.of.two** · 01-11-2012, 11:35 PM

Try pool filter sand.

Honestly all the worries about gas pockets in sand is a blown out of proportion.

Boogety48 · 01-12-2012, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mumma.of.two

Try pool filter sand.

Honestly all the worries about gas pockets in sand is a blown out of proportion.

Is there a preferred brand to use? I looked at what the pool filter sand looks like and I like the look of it. I think thats what I'm looking for.

epiphysis · 01-12-2012, 12:10 AM

If you're going the planted route and got some cash you can spend you can try Flourite.

But pool filter sand is by far the best and cheapest you can get.

Boogety48 · 01-12-2012, 02:03 AM

Has anyone ever used plant substrate? I always use real plants and I don't usually have any problems getting them to grow in gravel. I was just wondering if it works and is good for the fish. I was thinking maybe I could blend the the plant substrate with the pool filter sand. Any thoughts?