Sand substrate

[milmokes]

I heard having a deep sand bed reduces nitrates, but then I heard you must have micro fauna to keep it from going bad. Is this true. And what type of sand is best? I have 1"-1 1/2" of argonite sand now.

 

[scuba_steve]

yes its very true on both questions ! your sand is fine

 

[phases99]

For NNR you need at least 3", the finer the grain the better as you do not want detritus to get trapped. You want to keep your sandbed stirred with Nassarius and/or Cerith Snails, Brittle Stars, worms of all sorts. Avoid any animal that eats the microfauna if possible.

 

[cmor1701d]

You may want to read The Importance of aDeep Sand Bed

Southdown or Old Castle playsand from Home Depot (garden section) is the best buy for this. It may also be called YardRight. It's TROPICAL PLAYSAND that you want.

 

[aquafreak]

...wouldn't go too thick. Recommend an Aragonite sand and critters that will dig it up from time to time. Ask querryshark.

 

[scuba_steve]

grab the southdown now! rumors have it there will be no more :-/