{"title":"Substrates","description":"\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: .5rem;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrates for marine aquariums\u003c\/strong\u003e — \u003cem\u003earagonitic sands\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003elive sands\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003especial grade granules\u003c\/em\u003e — help stabilize pH, provide surface area for beneficial bacteria, and promote the natural behavior of sifting or burrowing species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"margin: .5rem 0 1rem;\"\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"display: inline-block; cursor: pointer; padding: .55rem 0; color: #006bb3; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top: .75rem; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMain types:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• \u003cem\u003eDry aragonite\u003c\/em\u003e: to be rinsed before use; contributes to long-term buffering.\u003cbr\u003e• \u003cem\u003eLive sand\u003c\/em\u003e: already inoculated with microfauna and bacteria (do not rinse).\u003cbr\u003e• \u003cem\u003eSpecial grade granules\u003c\/em\u003e: less likely to \"fly around\" with strong flow.\u003cbr\u003e• \u003cem\u003eCrushed coral\u003c\/em\u003e: coarser grain, suitable for fish-only tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended grain sizes (indicative):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• \u003cem\u003eFine\/oolitic\u003c\/em\u003e ~0.5–1 mm → deep sand beds and sifting fish like \u003cstrong\u003egobies\u003c\/strong\u003e (fam. \u003cem\u003eGobiidae\u003c\/em\u003e).\u003cbr\u003e• \u003cem\u003eMedium\u003c\/em\u003e ~1–2 mm → mixed reefs with good circulation.\u003cbr\u003e• \u003cem\u003eCoarse\u003c\/em\u003e ~2–4 mm → fish-only tanks or high-flow areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSand bed thickness:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• \u003cem\u003eShallow\u003c\/em\u003e 1–2 cm → aesthetic, easy to siphon.\u003cbr\u003e• \u003cem\u003eStandard\u003c\/em\u003e 2–5 cm → most common solution in mixed reefs.\u003cbr\u003e• \u003cem\u003eDSB (Deep Sand Bed)\u003c\/em\u003e 10–15 cm with fine sand → better in a dedicated refugium.\u003cbr\u003eAlternatively, you can opt for a bare-bottom tank, focusing on intense flow and skimming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSetup \u0026amp; maintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e rinse \u003cem\u003edry\u003c\/em\u003e sands with \u003cstrong\u003ereverse osmosis water\u003c\/strong\u003e until the water is clear; do \u003cu\u003enot rinse live sand\u003c\/u\u003e. When filling, pour water slowly (onto a plate\/bag) to avoid cloudiness. During maintenance, perform a \u003cem\u003esurface siphoning\u003c\/em\u003e in exposed areas, leaving deep areas of DSBs intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility with fauna:\u003c\/strong\u003e suitable for sand-sifting \u003cstrong\u003egobies\u003c\/strong\u003e (fam. \u003cem\u003eGobiidae\u003c\/em\u003e), burrowing \u003cstrong\u003ewrasses\u003c\/strong\u003e at night (fam. \u003cem\u003eLabridae\u003c\/em\u003e), \"\u003cem\u003estrombs\u003c\/em\u003e\" or snails of the genus \u003cem\u003eStrombus\u003c\/em\u003e (e.g., \u003cem\u003eStrombus\u003c\/em\u003e spp.) and \u003cstrong\u003esea cucumbers\u003c\/strong\u003e (class \u003cem\u003eHolothuroidea\u003c\/em\u003e) that help stir the surface. Avoid overly coarse grain sizes with small sifters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUseful notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e aragonite can help maintain stable pH; avoid soil\/peat or materials unsuitable for marine aquariums. When dosing \u003cem\u003ebacteria\u003c\/em\u003e or performing \u003cem\u003etreatments\u003c\/em\u003e, follow the manufacturer's instructions for carbon, resins, and UV sterilizer (to be turned off during many treatments).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; font-style: italic;\"\u003eTip: match \u003cstrong\u003egrain size\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003ethickness\u003c\/strong\u003e to flow and fauna (gobies\/Gobiidae and wrasses\/Labridae → 2–5 cm with fine sand; true DSB → 10–15 cm in a refugium). To fill without clouding, pour water onto a plate and immediately start a \u003cstrong\u003egentle circulation\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: .9rem; color: #555;\"\u003e— Advice from the Hobby Pesca \u0026amp; Acquari Team\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[],"url":"https:\/\/hobbypescaeacquari.live\/en\/collections\/substrati.oembed","provider":"HobbyPesca","version":"1.0","type":"link"}