I have been debating this for a while now.... I have about 180 lbs of this stuff in my 240G tank @ 1" depth.
The rays like the bury themselves in it when I startle them but lately I have been thinking about removing it for two reasons.
1) Bare bottom seems to be more sanitary because (bad) bacteria does not inhabit it. Also allows more flow in the tank because filter return nozzles can be directed downwards to increase flow in the tank. This can not be done in a tank with sand substrate without risk of the filters taking in sand.
2) I was looking at Caribsea's website and it clearly states that this substrate is NOT suited for soft bellied aquarium inhabitants.
The argument seems pretty biased but I have yet to see a benefit to keeping the substrate besides its added aesthetic value. To remove or not to remove?
What is the best way to REMOVE this volume of sand? This is going to prove to be a huge headache. ANY ideas from past experience would be greatly appreciated.
Best,
Jeff
The rays like the bury themselves in it when I startle them but lately I have been thinking about removing it for two reasons.
1) Bare bottom seems to be more sanitary because (bad) bacteria does not inhabit it. Also allows more flow in the tank because filter return nozzles can be directed downwards to increase flow in the tank. This can not be done in a tank with sand substrate without risk of the filters taking in sand.
2) I was looking at Caribsea's website and it clearly states that this substrate is NOT suited for soft bellied aquarium inhabitants.
The argument seems pretty biased but I have yet to see a benefit to keeping the substrate besides its added aesthetic value. To remove or not to remove?
What is the best way to REMOVE this volume of sand? This is going to prove to be a huge headache. ANY ideas from past experience would be greatly appreciated.
Best,
Jeff