Newcommer to saltwater

[JUBE-JUBE]

Hi, Im an animal biology student at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada and am starting up a 6 gallon nano fish-only tank. (so far I just have the tank...going slow cause dont want to screw up and am on a bugdet). Iv been doing alot of reading and have decided that id like to use a deep sand bed (probably 3") and NO live rock.

I am confused however what the differece is between Live sand and Aragonite sand. Is the aragonite (not sure if im spelling that right) just the beneficial bacteria and buffering capabilities or is it condiered live as well?? Id rather avoid getting worms and such that I really dont want to have to worry about in such a small tank. If it is Live sand is there a way to prevent unwanted organisms besides the bacteria???

Also, once the tank is cycle properly and water quality under control when should I introduce a cleanup crew and which types of invertes would be best. Im getting a single Oscellaris percula or True perc.

Iv read the Links on how to start a FOWLR aquarium and the Live rock? and am still a little confused...

Help is greatly appreciated

[leebca]

WELCOME TO REEFLAND!

A deep sand bed for a nano is not a very efficient system. I don't know if it's been done before. So much room will be taken up by such a bed that little space will be left!

A deep sand bed can and does process a lot of nitrates (denitrification) but doesn't do a lot for nitrification. Surface area for the bacteria to cling to is what's important for nitrification.

But the issue of DSB or no DSB has to do with the marine life you want to put into the nano and what you need the DSB to accomplish.

Live sand has no standard definition. Whoever is selling or providing it has to explain what it is they have. For the most part, live sand means it has already been seeded with bacteria that will perform the nitrification processes. Worms and other benthic creatures are usually not included. I find spending the extra money for this kind of sand to be a waste. The bacteria are 'free.' Only some time is needed to take the substrate you want and make it into 'live sand.'

According to: Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium you'll see in step 13. that the clean up crew is introduced after the system stabilizes. Since you aren't using live rock, then after the system stabilizes, you begin to introduce your clean up crew.

For this sized aquarium, a few snails would be appropriate. Maybe one or two carnivore, and a few herbivore.

Sad to say that an Anemonefish is not suitable for that sized aquarium. Although the unknowing and (to some extent) the uncaring aquarist likes to put a small fish into a small tank, these types of fish should be an aquarium of no less than 20 gallons, with some of the large species needing about a 29 gallon aquarium. I'm referring to one fish in these types of aquariums. The proper fishes for a nano aquarium would be tiny gobies and others that don't grow to beyond 2" in length.