Hi everyone, I'm about to start reefing a new tank. I have Nature's Ocean Aragonite (#1) as substrate and the question is: should I rinse it before adding in the reef? If I have to do so, what is the best way to do it?
Thank you!
Thank you!
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Thank you for your input! Providing more details, it's going to be a 100 gallon tank with a sump. The plan is to speed up cycling with Brightwell Microbacter Start Xlm and Quikcycl (cycling without any fish). After the cycling the plan is to follow with Microbacter Clean....Marcelo,
You will find many schools of thoughts with seemingly conflicting operational methods on this website. What do you envision for your 100G new build? You mentioned that you operated a smaller tank for 10 years. Is your new build going to have a sump or refugium?
Nitrification bacteria are very quickly established and can be done with bacteria culture in a bottle. Diversity of bacteria in a reef tank is much more complex than wet sand in a bag. Consider for how long in bag and instead of nitrifying bacteria (oxidation), you may have sulfide bacteria (reducing chemistry). Your nose should warn you. I agree with @brandon429 about flushing out wet sand in a bag.
However, Real Live Sand is a differrent story as higher level micro fauna & fana are brought along with detrivores to process organic & inorganic nutrients into live food to feed hungry mouths. Yes, I use my sandbed to feed sea apples, flame scallops, feather duster, sponges and coral.
Thank you for your input! Providing more details, it's going to be a 100 gallon tank with a sump. The plan is to speed up cycling with Brightwell Microbacter Start Xlm and Quikcycl (cycling without any fish). After the cycling the plan is to follow with Microbacter Clean....
I remember 10 years ago I didn't follow all the steps and the cycling was not full.... I am still impacted for that and that's why I want to start correctly this time
I agree. My go to sand is the Special Grade. I think it is the ideal size to make maintenance easy, looks good, and is good for wrasses, sand sifters, and anemones.Product description
Nature's Ocean Aragonite Sand#1 20LBS (Grain size: 1.2 -1.7mm). Premium Aragonite Reef Substrate for aquariums reduces Nitrates & Maintains pH. Ideal for reef system tank bottoms, denitrifying anaerobic beds, extremely high surface area filter media. For Best Results Use as Follows: Pre-washed Minimum Rinse Required.
@Magostini
In my experiences, 1mm-2mm grain size is very large. It will collect detritus and it will require excessive sand bed maintenance. I operated a Jaubert Plenum with that grain size for 20 years.
Consider using that aragonite in a DIY calcium reactor to assist with alkalinity management. Instead for display tank substrate < 1” of Special Reef Grade aragonite at about 0.1mm - 1 mm in diameter.o