gravel bottom

i just used a 4 inch gravel bed. would tank cleaners like hermits and such do any good. and what about corals and anaomes will they be able to grow in gravel?

 

Dano,

Could you help and just define what you mean by " Gravel"

John

 

Yeah, like how wide in diameter is a piece of the gravel.
As for corals and anemones, a lot really depends on the the individual and it's requirements in regards to light and current and such. Some don't go on substrate. Maybe I am misunderstanding the question though.

 

its the decrotive gravel that the lfs sell. they are about pea size / smaller . i was just wondering more about the shrimp and hermits for now. i decided not to go with a sand bed. i kind of figured the tank cleaners would like the looser bottom making it easier to burrow. hopefully that explaines a little better, what ya guys think

 

[quote author=dano link=board=General;num=1094762998;start=0#3 date=09/10/04 at 05:28:57]i kind of figured the tank cleaners would like the looser bottom making it easier to burrow. hopefully that explaines a little better, what ya guys think[/quote]


On the contrary, most burrowing cleaners cannot burrow through course substrate. I also don't believe that freshwater aquarium gravel will do well in a reef tank unless the bag specifically indicates that it can be used in a saltwater application. The best substrate for any saltwater tank will always be sand

 

The bacteria that are necessary for biological filtration will live on the surface of the rock and substrate of your tank. The smaller the particular size of your substrate the more surface area there is for these important dentrifying bacteria.

In addition, corals and crustaceans - shrimp and crabs, take calcium out of the water column to build there shells or stoney bases. Aragonite or oolite sand is made up of calcium carbonate which will precipitate into the water column for that process.

You probably want to replace your colored gravel with a more suitable substrate for your purposes.

HTH

 

Dano,

Ditto to most of the other comments above. The other problem with such a course and deep substrate is that food will srartto collect in the substrate deeper than the crabs etc can reach and you will end up with a rotting mess.

John