sand bed

[s dubay]

Im just wondering if i can use a sand substrate for a fish only tank?I plan on mabey adding live rock down the road but not for a while, just fish!The ph in my tap water is around 8 so i dont see what it would matter if i used sand instead of cc.Any advice would be great!

[tendar]

Im just wondering if i can use a sand substrate for a fish only tank?I plan on mabey adding live rock down the road but not for a while, just fish!The ph in my tap water is around 8 so i dont see what it would matter if i used sand instead of cc.Any advice would be great!

Either will work. With crushed coral you need to vacum it on water changes to help keep it clean.

[s dubay]

so with sand then i wont have to vac. it during water changes?Also should i go with a deep sand bed or just 1" or 2?I do want to add some live rock later on!And i will get a skimmer later on mabey even a uv sterilizer!

[Bughead]

By all means, if possible, go with the deep sand bed.(4"-6") I know there's been some contraversy about the longevity of DSBs lately, but I have them in both my 55 gal reef and 180 FOWLR and it works beautifully. Don't worry about vacuuming the sand. Get a handfull of live sand from a friend or order a culture of live sand from an internet company to seed your sand bed. Then get a clean-up crew of hermit crabs and snails. Your sand will take care of itself.