A Few Quick Substrate Questions

[kaianuanu]

Hi, i was wondering if I would be able to use UGF's and live sand?

Also, I may use crushed coral but, i want to use live sand to speed up cycling, Is this possible?

Finnaly, if ive used crushed coral in a freshwater tank, could i use it in a marine setup?

This is kind of off topic, but what is the fastest method of marine cycling in a FO marine tank (I have supplies for "fishless cycling")?

Thanx,
Kai

[rageybug]

UGF.. is that under gravel filter?

[kaianuanu]

yes sir...............

[AABatteries]

Do not use an UGF, they are old technology and just become nitrate factories. But if you run them with a reverse flow powerhead, they are OK.

[rageybug]

I'd stay away from the UGF too. I'm not even sure it will work with sand?

You are fine to mix sand and crushed coral. I just had that in my 70g reef that I'm rebuilding. The crushed coral makes it much easier for copepods to live in the substrate as it creates lots of pockets for them to hang out in.

[kaianuanu]

what do you mean by "nitrate factories"?

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Definitely skip on the UGF in a marine tank. Even being used in a reverse flow setup, they are not good choices for marine tanks.

EDIT They produce nitrate at a rate faster then the live rock can keep up with. UGFs are only supplemental biofilters and that is not needed in a marine tank. The only biofilter you need in a marine tank is Live Rock.

[kaianuanu]

well, im only probably using a few pounds of LR if any, i mainly want an FO tank, but, i bave a big HOB power filter that i am going to fill up with bio-balls, bio-floss, 2 big foam sponge things, or mabe the LR.

Also, i Have 4 UGF plates that i can put together to cover my whole 55 gallon floor,would it make a difference i only used some of the plates?

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Ok, I'll say it again. Skip on the UGF altogether in a marine tank. I'd highly recommend you do some reading on the benefits of live rock. You can do a FO tank, but I really would not recommend it at all. How much reading and research have you done on this subject?

[kaianuanu]

eh, ive researched on and off for the last year or 2, but, nothing on UGFs obviously. I have another quesion, if ive used crushed coral in a freshwater tank, could i use it in a marine setup?

[kaianuanu]

bump............

[AABatteries]

As long as the tank that the substrate in hasn't been treated with anything that contains copper, should SHOULD be fine.

Also, please stop constantly "bumping", all it shows is that you do NOT have much patience. Which is not a good thing, especially for SW.

[kaianuanu]

i agree it shows impatience and i admit i am impatient, also i agree it is not a good trait in a SW aquarist, BUT, i can also say it isn't to the point where i do stupid stuff. Anyway,one more question,you just started a marine setup in a 55 right? Anyway, i was curious as to the method that you chose to cycle it