Newto Marine, not to tanks

[Rico]

OK, Not new to aquariums, but new to Marine tanks. Interested in setting up a small reef. Already have a 28 Gallon, 20Gallon Sump, eheim 2028, Catalina Lighting (24" 24x4 watt actinic/10K). I believe in slow and HIGH quality. What would be the best substrate (Crushed coral? Live Sand) Live rock, is there a better quality? The goal is to have hard & Soft Corals, and inverts, fish. A 28G is small, but I've seen some beautiful sets out there.

[zygote2k]

Use some Aragamax sugar sized sand mixed with live sand- 60/40 ratio. For a small tank, you'll need enough to make a 2" bed. If you place eggcrate on the bottom, then put the rock on top, then pour in the sand, it'll create a very stable platform and create a barrier to prevent digging fishes and inverts from moving the rock.

If you join WAMAS, you'll be able to buy lots of high quality items just by skimming the "for sale" section. You might even get some free stuff.

Edited March 27, 2010 by zygote2k

[Chad]

On your live rock quality question, IMO, the highest quality live rock is in the ocean a day or two before you get it or someone elses tank for more than a couple of years. This drastically reduces the die-off when you put it in your tank.

 

There are a couple of good suppliers like this out there (tampa bay saltwater is one of them but there are a few others as well). A disadvantage of getting rock this way, though, is that you will probably have some pests arrive on the rock that you will have to deal with (the worst of which is probably mantis shrimp).

[Coral Hind]

Welcome to the board. You should update your profile so we know where you are located. Someone close to you might have what you need.

 

Not too many people use crushed coral alone because the larger size allows for stuff to settle and get trapped down in the bed. If it is used it is mixed with fine sand. You will be better off going with the sugar size sand mixture that Z2K mentioned.