[dobz55]

Hi all,

here are some pics of my Tank with my first fish in it,how am I doing so far

[leebca]

Things are coming along, but the tank is still young. Resist putting fish or higher live forms into the tank for the next several weeks.

How did you choose to keep a sand bed so deep? Why is it that deep?

[dobz55]

hi Lee no idea why I choose the deep sand bed I just bought a bag when i was setting up and put it all in, is a deep sand bed bad???????and if so what do you suggest

[Poseidon]

Looks like a good DSB to me. I run 4"+ of sugar sized sand in my tank. Lee is right though, go SSLLOOWW patience is the key to this hobby.

[dobz55]

I love this hobby after having trops and cyclids for so long i thought i new a lot (duh) but this is very challenging and enjoyable I am already looking at attempting an reef system with an 8 ft x 2ft x 2ft tank, and yes slow and steady 7 weeks now so I be getting there,problem is I now have my 3 ft marine a 6 ft cyclid where will I find room for another 8 ft lol

[leebca]

For someone new to the hobby of marine fishes, I would recommend a sand bed below 1.5 inches in depth.

There are concerns/issues with regards to deep sand beds. A combination of grain size and whether or not you have fishes or marine life that stirs it up are part of the successes and failures of this feature.

A thinner sand bed allows the new aquarist to make mistakes without worrying too much about the cons to a deep sand bed. But it is not a problem. You should check the surface out now and then (once or twice a week) to make sure it hasn't formed a 'cap' in places, or that the grains are not sticking or compacting together. If detritus/uneaten food, etc. gets 'stuck' into the lower regions of the bed, it can cause decay problems.

[mistermikev]

Not to contridict lee (I am sure he knows more than I) but many hobbyists swear by a deep sand bed. It has sure been good to me but admittedly, I have a pistol shrimp, 40 or so hermits, several nessarius, a blue linkia - all stirring it up. AFA your tank, one think I see right off the bat is you don't have many powerheads for a 55. Most hobbyists agree you want 20-40 times the size of your tank in water movement per hour. FYI

[leebca]

It's hard to see a larger picture sometimes, but mistermikev you must remember this is a Fish-Only Aquariums Forum. That turnover rate is not needed for a FOWLR aquarium. In fact, about 8 to 10 is suitable for that kind of system.

Whereas a deep sand bed helps with the control of nitrates, that also isn't as important in a FOWLR system as it is in a reef system. I'm assuming of course that dobz55 originally posted in the correct Forum.

On the other hand, if dobz55 wants a reef aquarium and input on that, dobz55 needs to post in the Reef Aquariums Forum.

[mistermikev]

My bad. Your intelligence is only surpassed by my ignorance!:slap: (hehe). Your right. I got in here w/o realizing where I was. Still, doesn't more circulation help protect against ich and bacterial infection? And doesn't more sand and less nitrate equate to less chance of bacterial infection? I ask bcuz I do have a FOWLR tank. Admittedly, it has pretty low circulation but I am about to upgrade it and add some propogated corals.

[leebca]

Not to worry about mistakes. We all do that.

The amount of circulation has no direct effect upon disease or bacterial control when it comes to fish infection, to the best of my knowledge and experience. A healthy, properly nourished fish can and does resist microbial opportunistic attack (e.g., bacterial and fungal). Regardless of circulation, a parasite's presence is enough to infect the fish and spread.

By the same token, the sand bed doesn't negatively nor positively impact fish diseases except those few parasites that need a substrate as part of their life cycle. In this latter case, one could argue the best substrate is no substrate if fish health is the prime concern.

The prime purposes of circulation in an FOWLR system is moving water around to put the wastes (e.g., ammonia, nitrites, carbon dioxide, etc.) in contact with the bacteria and organisms the process them, and to create surface disturbance to aid in gas exchange. Thus, in the case of living rock, the circulation is actually there primarily for the rock, not the fishes.

You're converting your FOWLR system to a reef system and additional considerations for circulation have to be made. In the case of the reef tank, an increase in circulation is desired for additional reasons. Some of those sessile beings in reef tanks require circulation to move them, bring nutrients to them and remove their wastes (unlike a fish that simply swims away from its wastes or can swim to find food). Increased circulation permits mechanical filtration to occur more efficiently by keeping solid wastes suspended longer, for physical removal. These reasons are added to the ones previously mentioned for the FOWLR system.

It may help to remember that, forty (40) years ago, before live rock, the only circulation a FO marine aquarium had was an under gravel filter. These aquaria worked fine. The purpose is still the same today -- circulation to efficiently allow the handling/processing of fish and food wastes (including gas wastes) by the appropriate microorganisms (or release to the atmosphere).

[dobz55]

Good morning again guys, well I have a power head in the tank 1000 ltp and a fluval 400 canister filter connected as well 1000 ltr my tank for all intense and puposes was to be set up as a FOWLR and I bought the pair of clowns so naturally every one wanted an Anemone (which I bought) so where am I now FOWLR or REEF,and again thank you for your advise and help

[leebca]

You now have a reef tank. You'll want to post in the Reef Aquariums Forum for guidance on changes you need to make. They will probably want to know what kind of anemone you have bought so they can tell you how to keep it alive.

[Poseidon]

Lee, I concede the point on a DSB in a FOWLR. You are correct.

dobz55,

You went and bought an anemone? So much for going slow.....

[dobz55]

yes I know I got sucked into buying it , I only hope the poor thing survives now ?????????

[mistermikev]

WOW, now were talking. FOWLR is ok but you got to love the reef. Not to mention, clowns look lonely without an anemonie. The one thing you are going to want to make sure of is that you have decent lighting. Unfortunately I have to agree w lee, you are moving a little fast and this can lead to die off... you've got some nice stuff, now you will have to hold off on new things for a while... or get another tank going(hehe).

[dobz55]

definately another tank I am already looking at an 8 ft one, and yep I am off to buy more lighting (ouch more money) I cannot believe how the whole family is watching this tank grow, each day someone spots a new creature and with little doubt I would love to set a full reef system up but not in this Tank no corals or like they can wait for my new one, in this tank now I will just add(over time) another 2 or 3 fish and if I am successfull in keeping my Anemone alive another one of him