20 Gallon Beginner's Reef

Howdy howdy! I've decided not to use CC as a medium for live sand and to purchase cultured LS from my live rock (LR accroym ?) vendor: http://www.premiumaquatic.com The sand is the aragonite (which makes beautiful crystals for you rockhounds and mineral collectors ) typically sold for reef tank applications. However it's cultured in their live rock pools for several months prior to sale.

I would like to point out an interesting situation I had using CC for a saltwater display in community college biology laboratory, if anyones interested. STRANGE...

What's the deal with T5HO Fluorescents?

 

ALSO: Here's my plan for building a LS bed.

First: For the first 4 to 6 weeks. I leave the bottom of the aquarium bare (IT'S NAKED I TELLS YA!!! ... NAKED!!!). This serves two purposes. By keeping the bottom bare, I'm able to remove detritus produced by the live rock during its re-accilmation or second cycling after initial curing. This serves as a means of removing nutrients until the protein skimmer breaks-in and to curb the algae bloom during cycling. Second: I believe the early removal of detritus (due to the lack of substrate) during the cycle stage helps to accelerate the growth of coralline algae.

As for the LS I'll be additing it in small increments over a period of six to eight months until it reaches a desired depth. This will give it time to bulk-up as an additional biological filter medium. In addition I'll be adding a few critters (a small engineer goby comes to mind) to help keep the substrate properly stirred.

My only concern is about snails loosing their footing in the LS and flopping belly-up on their shells... I think we all have seen this happen.