How much and what kind of substrate?

[drnsee]

I've heard that you should keep less than an inch of sand/substrate in a nano. What is your opinion on this?

In the future, I may want a yellow head jawfish and I'm not sure one inch would suffice....... Moreover, I don't want to compromise my whole set-up on the account of wanting a jawfish in the future, lol.

I was thinking a mixture of sugar fine and a slightly larger grain. I had crushed coral in one of my larger tanks, which was basically a detritus trap.

 

[funkngroovy]

If you are using the substate as a de-nitrifying bio filter. It will not work unless it is at least 6 inches deep. (Deep Sand Bed)

Substrate in most nano's are merely cosmetic although it will provide some filtration.

Most go for bright white coral sand or crush to increase the in tank light by reflection.

You need to do some reseach on the yellow head jawfish or golden sleeper goby.

It is now considered that there is no chance of survival long term for this fish in an aquarium.

As they are a filter feeder, and require live food from the substrate that a home aquarium cant provide. Many aquarium societies around the world are lobbying suppliers to stop the collection of this fish.

There are some alternitive fish that are equally stunning from the goby family that you may want to research.


Can your post some pics and provide details of your system so we can get a better Idea of the needs of your tank..

Happy tank building, keep us posted :!:

 

[drnsee]

If you are using the substate as a de-nitrifying bio filter. It will not work unless it is at least 6 inches deep. (Deep Sand Bed)

Substrate in most nano's are merely cosmetic although it will provide some filtration.

Most go for bright white coral sand or crush to increase the in tank light by reflection.

You need to do some reseach on the yellow head jawfish or golden sleeper goby.

It is now considered that there is no chance of survival long term for this fish in an aquarium.

As they are a filter feeder, and require live food from the substrate that a home aquarium cant provide. Many aquarium societies around the world are lobbying suppliers to stop the collection of this fish.

There are some alternitive fish that are equally stunning from the goby family that you may want to research.


Can your post some pics and provide details of your system so we can get a better Idea of the needs of your tank..

Happy tank building, keep us posted :!:

That's great info on the jawfish, I did not know! Nixing that! I like fish that burrow or hide in caverns, so I may go bi-color blenny or black capped basslet now!

I will definitely post pics and details once I get it (just shipped yesterday!) and start setting it up, lol. I'm a research and study freak, just trying to prepare first. :strip

 

[funkngroovy]

Oh, cool!!

I don't have one, but cardinals are cool fish that like to hang out in caverns. They aren't the most colourful but do a search on their breeding patterns, you will spin out!

A breeder over here in Australia has been posting the results of his pijama cardinals breeding. It's been a great read!

 

[TimSchmidt]

The big reason I use sand is cosmetic, but there are a host of critters that live in the sand that are beneficial to tanks as well. I have a blue spot jaw fish, but I admit I did not research well before the purchase and it is hit or miss with this fish. I have been lucky so far, but I am moving him to my 28 gallon nanocube when it's ready. (You are right more sand is needed for jawfish, but I wouldn't use sugar fine as they kick it around A LOT)

 

[Boo]

I have about 3/8ths to 1/2 inch of Oolite as my substrate for cosmetic reasons and for something else for me to clean ;-)

I have no intent on keeping any sand sifting fish however.

 

[Tswifty]

In a nano, as stated above, your substrate would be primarily cosmetic. However, I would still go with a fine grain sand such at the Fiji Pink or Argamax Select. As these as sands that are very fine, yet large enough to not become problematic with flow or burrowing/sifting inhabitants. The Fiji Pink & Argamax Select are about the same grain size, but have slightly different coloration. I personally felt the Fiji Pink had a "whiter" appearance than the Argamax Select, which is why I chose it in my tank.

Good luck.