Deep sand bed question.

[Mark Cooper]

In my new (1 month old) FOWLR set up, I put 30 lbs of LR and for a
substrate, I put 40lbs of aragonite sand and 20 lbs of live sand. I can
now see two distinct layers in the sand. A layer of white about one inch
deep with a gray layer below it. I've seen pictures of tanks where the
two layers represent the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria at work. Have I
unwittingly created a "sand bed"? (not complaining if I did)

And a second question: With this much LR and LS, and running a skimmer,
do I need additional filtration, assuming I maintain a reasonable
bioload? Let's say 6 3-4" fish and 5 or 6 assorted shrimp/crabs/snails.

I currently have an Aquaclear 300 running just to provide mechanical
filtration.


Thanks,
Mark

[Donnie Vazquez]

Mark Cooper wrote:
> In my new (1 month old) FOWLR set up, I put 30 lbs of LR and for a
> substrate, I put 40lbs of aragonite sand and 20 lbs of live sand. I can
> now see two distinct layers in the sand. A layer of white about one inch
> deep with a gray layer below it. I've seen pictures of tanks where the
> two layers represent the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria at work. Have I
> unwittingly created a "sand bed"? (not complaining if I did)
>
> And a second question: With this much LR and LS, and running a skimmer,
> do I need additional filtration, assuming I maintain a reasonable
> bioload? Let's say 6 3-4" fish and 5 or 6 assorted shrimp/crabs/snails.
>
> I currently have an Aquaclear 300 running just to provide mechanical
> filtration.
>
>
> Thanks,
> Mark
>

How big is your tank?

--
Donnie Vazquez
Sunderland, MD

[Mark Cooper]

Donnie Vazquez > wrote in
:

> Mark Cooper wrote:
>> In my new (1 month old) FOWLR set up, I put 30 lbs of LR and for a
>> substrate, I put 40lbs of aragonite sand and 20 lbs of live sand. I
>> can now see two distinct layers in the sand. A layer of white about
>> one inch deep with a gray layer below it. I've seen pictures of tanks
>> where the two layers represent the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria at
>> work. Have I unwittingly created a "sand bed"? (not complaining if I
>> did)
>>
>> And a second question: With this much LR and LS, and running a
>> skimmer, do I need additional filtration, assuming I maintain a
>> reasonable bioload? Let's say 6 3-4" fish and 5 or 6 assorted
>> shrimp/crabs/snails.
>>
>> I currently have an Aquaclear 300 running just to provide mechanical
>> filtration.
>>
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Mark
>>
>
> How big is your tank?
>

Oops, 55 gallon.


Mark

[Donnie Vazquez]

Mark Cooper wrote:
> Donnie Vazquez > wrote in
> :
>
>
>>Mark Cooper wrote:
>>
>>>In my new (1 month old) FOWLR set up, I put 30 lbs of LR and for a
>>>substrate, I put 40lbs of aragonite sand and 20 lbs of live sand. I
>>>can now see two distinct layers in the sand. A layer of white about
>>>one inch deep with a gray layer below it. I've seen pictures of tanks
>>>where the two layers represent the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria at
>>>work. Have I unwittingly created a "sand bed"? (not complaining if I
>>>did)
>>>
>>>And a second question: With this much LR and LS, and running a
>>>skimmer, do I need additional filtration, assuming I maintain a
>>>reasonable bioload? Let's say 6 3-4" fish and 5 or 6 assorted
>>>shrimp/crabs/snails.
>>>
>>>I currently have an Aquaclear 300 running just to provide mechanical
>>>filtration.
>>>
>>>
>>>Thanks,
>>>Mark
>>>
>>
>>How big is your tank?
>>
>
>
> Oops, 55 gallon.
>
>
> Mark

If I had to guess I'd say you're probably fine but I'd keep an eye on
the nitrates. If they become a problem, you could add more rock and/or
lose the Aquaclear.

--
Donnie Vazquez
Sunderland, MD