Sand Bed and Plenum

Laura and Jim will be hosting the May meeting this Saturday the 12th and it will be the usual of food, drinks, raffle and fun.
 
Doors will be open at 6:00 pm for social talk and the meeting will start at 7:00.  Parking gets a little tight and the city says you can't park on 4th but there is a parking lot a block away.   Meeting is usually held in the backyard so feel free to bring your favorite lawn chair, weather permitting of course.

If you need address/directions, contact a club member.

Best if you park at Mini Mall (where the spaghetti establishment use to be)
 
You will get to see his new frag tank set up in the making.
 
Hope to see you there!

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[MartyK]

Hi  -  Any advice on setting up my sand bed?  Previously I was thinking of a plenum (based on GARF website), but more recently I've gotten the impression that it can be more trouble than it's worth.  If I just go with sand, should I separate part of it with a screen to keep critters out, or just dump it in ?

Marty

[tyler5g]

Dump it in.  Plenums were are the rage at one time, but I don't think anyone in the club is running a plenum. They just turn into nitrate traps.  Dump in the sand and plan on getting sand sifting critters, stars, horseshoe crabs. tigertails, etc.   

[Nate C.]

Hi  -  Any advice on setting up my sand bed?  Previously I was thinking of a plenum (based on GARF website), but more recently I've gotten the impression that it can be more trouble than it's worth.  If I just go with sand, should I separate part of it with a screen to keep critters out, or just dump it in ?

Marty

Marty, you can see our sand bed when you come pick up your critters today. 

Nate

[Andy]

I was just going to ask about the Plenum idea.  Now I have my answer. What do you guys think of their grunge? Has anyone bought these guys stuff?  http://www.ipsf.com/
I thought that the clams look interesting. For starting out with a dead tank what about the Mix 'n Match Special?
Andy

[Nate C.]

I was just going to ask about the Plenum idea.  Now I have my answer. What do you guys think of their grunge? Has anyone bought these guys stuff?  http://www.ipsf.com/
I thought that the clams look interesting. For starting out with a dead tank what about the Mix 'n Match Special?
Andy

We bought some GARF grunge, got some interesting sponges and stuff growing afterward, but the majority of the "sand" is bolder size, and not that great for the sand bed.  We ended up having to pick all  the large rubble back out with tongs a couple months later.

[angelscrx]

I liked it when I got some.  I put it towards the back of the tank and it had a lot of microfauna in it.  GARFs sandbeds aren't really sand more so like crushed rock.  It is maily to seed a tank with microfauna - brittle stars, pods, and such.

[Andy]

You guys and gals dont know anything about these guys?  http://www.ipsf.com/

Andy

[angelscrx]

I have seen the site before but have never tried them.

[The Apprentice]

Andy & Marty Back when I set up my DSB. I went to Kevins store up in Spokane and got 3 Butter Dishes of live sand that he pulled out of his cube tanks, Full of Micro fauna and live organizums I even got a real good supply of Copods this way as well...I had bought alot of equipment from kevin when i was just starting so he gave me this for free. It is a option to check out Maybe ask if you buy the sand will he provide you with the seed stock?
I also know that If you go to Portland the Seahorse Aqu. will also give out free live sand ( Not as good as kevins )
Hope this offers another option ...Jeff



quote author=Andy link=topic=894.msg7467#msg7467 date=1172275548]
You guys and gals dont know anything about these guys?  http://www.ipsf.com/

Andy
[/quote]

[Andy]

Thank you Jeff. I will keep that in mind

Andy

[MartyK]

The LFS here in Richland has some tanks with macro algae and various microfauna, but it looks like it also has aiptasia and bristle worms ...  I guess I'll keep looking.

[The Apprentice]

Marty dont forget there is only 2-3 species of bristle worms that are bad all the rest are benifical for you sand bed as for the aiptasia I will have to agree with you on that one...

The LFS here in Richland has some tanks with macro algae and various microfauna, but it looks like it also has aiptasia and bristle worms ...  I guess I'll keep looking.

[Andy]

Is the aiptasia considered a weed or is it a personal dislike? If you get some in your tank does it take over? It’s a type of anemones right?

Andy

[Ed]

Is the aiptasia considered a weed or is it a personal dislike? If you get some in your tank does it take over? It’s a type of anemones right?

Andy

I consider Aiptasia a problem.    They are little glass anenomes that sting fish, sting corals and easily populate in your tank.   
I look at them as little briar patches that harm other tank mates.

[Nate C.]

I consider Aiptasia a problem.    They are little glass anenomes that sting fish, sting corals and easily populate in your tank.   
I look at them as little briar patches that harm other tank mates.

Ditto, they are to be avoided if at all possible.