10 gallon first salt/brackish tank questions

[Vampire fish]

Ill try to keep this simple. I want to make a 10 gallon brackish probably almost salt water tank. I have the saline meter thingy (<lol) and tank is clean and empty. What substrate should I use if any? I kind of want sand. If I did get sand I would want the cheapest thing possible (I have heard of people using play sand from lowes/home depot or something similar). However this would probably mean I would have to replace sand constantly to keep it clean of any sediment that's built up in it. My question is do you guys know of any cheap sand (ish) type substrate that is heavy enough to not be taken up by my siphon (only the junk gets sucked up)? Also what kind of filtration should I go with? Would a simple sponge filter work?
If you have any other recommendations please give me your input.

 

[Vampire fish]

I found a bag of polyster filter media. You think I can use it as a replacement to build a sponge filter (just to act as what the sponge would have been)?

 

[Vampire fish]

I found a bag of polyster filter media. You think I can use it as a replacement to build a sponge filter (just to act as what the sponge would have been)?

scratch that but got it made
My biggest question now is do you use some sort of sand or just go with none. Do you guys know of any sand that wont get sucked up by a siphon I might use to clean out the substrate. I imagine any sand would, but maybe pool filter sand or something? How do you guys clean your sand Iv always used gravel?

 

[dallen2233]

I would buy sand meant for aquariums and skip the pool filter/ play sand. I made the mistake in trying to get it completely clean. Long story short, I didn't get it all clean. I ended up having to drain all 300+ gallons and scooping out the sand and replacing it with aquarium sand. Since you have such a small tank (I don't mean it to sound condescending), it would be just as easy to order a 10 lb bag of live sand from amazon or your LFS since you say you're going with salt water. I have white fine sand now, and I never clean the substrate unless I see some huge piece of detritus that can'y be swept up by the current. Thats the key to my system, lots of scavengers/ high flow rate. But thats just my 2 cents...

 

[Vampire fish]

that sucks man thanks for input. I think I'm going to try it all out, no substrate, thin layer of sand (heard you can vacuum it most of the stuff right off the top), and maybe put in a live rock or two (heard good things). How much do they cost by the way? I also live by the beach.

 

[Vampire fish]

Later on I will probably find a better way of sticking those things to the ground by gluing/silicone to a flat rock, right now they are just tied to a rock with fishing string lolz and is only freshwater still. Hold some minnows and see how things work out over the next few

 

[Joecool44]

looks good so far and yes I use play sand in my 125 because at lowes it 2.00$ for 50 pounds and I only needed 2 bag for my 125 and I bought 8 bags but for ur case I would just go get aquariums sand 25 pounds for 20.00 at petsmart and you can get it in black or white

 

[Vampire fish]

Glued to flat rocks and I can always move them and open them up still. Could probably only use one, but the more the better I made to so, why not..
There are a few minnows in there who are actually doing great. I am still going to wait some time and try a little less hardier fresh fish to see how the filters hold up.
I might add the sand now or later not sure yet. Thanks joecool.
This will be my last post on this for a while until I get it to salt water.