Substrate

[kme023]

I'll be setting up my marine tank again very shortly, but i was wondering what substrate you would suggest?
I've had a very fine white sand in previously but found this was a pain come suction clean time, as it would all just siphon off the bottom along with all the garbage.
Any suggestions?

Thanks

[leongross]

I'll be setting up my marine tank again very shortly, but i was wondering what substrate you would suggest?
I've had a very fine white sand in previously but found this was a pain come suction clean time, as it would all just siphon off the bottom along with all the garbage.
Any suggestions?

Thanks[/b]

There are several options. The first is no substrate at all, makes it easy to clean. Just put the rock on strips of plastic to protect the glass. Some fish like to dig though, so personally I like some there at least! Coral sand / crushed coral was all the go but this is now illegal to be imported due to the dubious sources and rarity of coral reefs..
Crushed marble is good as it also helps buffer the water and you can add other things like crushed glass from fish stores to add colour. Make sure whatever you are puttng in is clean and from a reputable source.

[kme023]

Thanks leon, i had heard of the crushed marble but didn't know anything about it.

[aquariumleasing]

Hey Mitch. You might consider DSB (deep sand bed) and even the plenum theory which DOES eliminate nitrate. Let me know if you want more detail. ...John