So, as some of you may know, I'm scoping out a build for a Waterbox AIO 50.3. My big question (of the moment) is, how deep should my sand bed be? I know there's a LOT to consider, pros and cons each way. I know I don't want a bare-bottom tank, but I also don't want to devote an excessive amount of my 37g of display volume (~12g in the filter, ~1.2g is displaced by the filter bulkheads and pump) to more sand than is needful/beneficial. I'm also going to be building my aquascape soon, so it'll be helpful to know how much vertical room I have to work with. I know I want to go with black sand (unless there's some truly compelling reason not to - I know it can affect PAR/PUR, and my lights are a bit on the low-end for this tank, but...).
Tank focus is to be inverts (my primary fascination) and purple/blue/green colors, so that other colors really stand out. Below is my livestock plan/goals, more or less in the order/timeline I expect to introduce (as the tank matures, and I have the funds):
Fish: 1 each of Firefish Goby, Green Clown Goby, Neon Goby, Royal Gramma Basslet, Clownfish, Tailspot Blenny, Pink-Streaked Wrasse, Mandarin Dragonet. 3x Blue-Green Chromis when I have more corals and the tank is mature. I'd love Garden Eels, but I don't think the tank is big enough, even if I create an "eel pot"?
Corals and nems: LPS focus with some SPS much later. Lots of Star Polyps, Rock Flower Anemones (2+), Mini Maxi Carpet Anemones, Bubble Tip Anemone, Various Torches, whatever misc. corals come my way, and a few SPS (when I have better lights, and the tank is mature).
Misc. inverts: Cerith Snails, Nassarius Snails, Feather Dusters, Lettuce Sea Slugs, Porcelain Crabs, Anemone Crabs, Sexy Shrimp, Pom-Pom Crabs, Fighting Conch, Electric Scallops, Tuxedo Urchin, Maxima Clam, Harlequin Brittle Star (Optional), Sea Cucumber, True Nudibranchs (Long-Term).
Tank focus is to be inverts (my primary fascination) and purple/blue/green colors, so that other colors really stand out. Below is my livestock plan/goals, more or less in the order/timeline I expect to introduce (as the tank matures, and I have the funds):
Fish: 1 each of Firefish Goby, Green Clown Goby, Neon Goby, Royal Gramma Basslet, Clownfish, Tailspot Blenny, Pink-Streaked Wrasse, Mandarin Dragonet. 3x Blue-Green Chromis when I have more corals and the tank is mature. I'd love Garden Eels, but I don't think the tank is big enough, even if I create an "eel pot"?
Corals and nems: LPS focus with some SPS much later. Lots of Star Polyps, Rock Flower Anemones (2+), Mini Maxi Carpet Anemones, Bubble Tip Anemone, Various Torches, whatever misc. corals come my way, and a few SPS (when I have better lights, and the tank is mature).
Misc. inverts: Cerith Snails, Nassarius Snails, Feather Dusters, Lettuce Sea Slugs, Porcelain Crabs, Anemone Crabs, Sexy Shrimp, Pom-Pom Crabs, Fighting Conch, Electric Scallops, Tuxedo Urchin, Maxima Clam, Harlequin Brittle Star (Optional), Sea Cucumber, True Nudibranchs (Long-Term).
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