Oh God i have created a monster!
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]Puppy, the powersweep heads you talk about would work in a bigger tank? Or i would need more/more powerfull ones just like the Maxi-jets?
You will always have to up the size when you go to a larger tank. but the power sweeps are made for small/medium tanks, so they will eventually not do much for you.
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]You don't even run a skimmer durring those 6 months?
It's your choice. I wouldn't. I would just keep up with water changes. remember, in a reef tank, the live rock is the best filter you will have.
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]I was told with my tank being so small... That the sand could make it more difficult to manage, expecially as i am a newbie... What is your views on that? The same person (bucc from AW Hi bucc!! lol) was recomending I make a sump system... And as far as a skimmer system, he recomends an ASM MINI protien skimmer which utilize needle wheel technology... You know anything about that? views? I found This page on them, if you don't know about them maybe you could take a quick look... The mini is at the bottom of the page. 97 bucks (that sounds good!)
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Sand- a DEEP sand bed would not only not work in a system as small as yours, but it would cause problems. however, I don't reccomend a DEEP sand bed, but a very shallow one.
1" or less. the reason being is that very beneficial organisms can live in that sand, and not to have it deprives you of their presence. is it harder? a little.
There is a great raging debate in the reef community. DSB (deep sand bed (nitrifies bacteria) or bare bottom. bare bottom is easier to clean, sand makes a more natural bio-tope, and if it is deep, creates a powerful biological filter. If someone is on the barebottom side of the fence they will always hate sand in all it's forms.
My reccomendation, stick with a 1" sandbed and stock it with nassarius snails and bristle worrms, copepods and other little goodies.
If the sand bed ever becomes a problem, simply siphon it out. it's so thin (1" or less) that it won't cause your tank to crash if you do.
Skimmer - ASM makes good skimmers, and needlewheel skimmers are the absolute frickin BEST. they are very very efficient! I didn't know ASM made one that small so thanks to bucc.
Sump. Sumps are awesome, and it would go a long way to making your tank more stable. but it requires an overflow box or a drilled tank and I was trying to keep your costs down.
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]Thanks to everyone helping me through this. sorry if it seems I'm not trusting just one person but I like a few views on it. Hope that doesn't offend anyone.
Andrew
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]EDIT: Also, I read that longer tanks are better for reef tanks than tall tanks... as far as ease of care goes... Would a 40 gallon (shorter and longer a tad bit deeper) be a better choice for me?