Mixing Sand & Aragonite for differnt level of substrate

[mling]

I have 2 inches of Sand and 2 inches of Argonite above the sand for a substrate. The Aragonite grains are larger than the sand. I would like to get a Jawfish when my tank has gone thru it's cycling. I am thinking of making part of the tank's substrate higher than the other so that the Jawfish can have a deeper substrate to barrow. I am also thinking of putting an additionl half inch of crushed coral on top of the Aragonite
The surface area of my tank is 36" by 18".

Is it true that you cannot have different levels of substrate as it will all level out eventually ?

Assuming this is not true, Can have have an area of the tank where there is just sand and not Aragonite. My 5 year old want to put the Sand Crabs she finds on the beach in the tank ! Is this a bad idea ?

 

[romunov]

If there are animals borrowing around it will mix and level eventually...

 

[Kevin1000]

Well I don't know if you are intending to have a DSB but at that depth sand you got one. Most people would say that a sucessful DSB need to have the sand fully intergrated so that there is no layering effect which will inhibit sand criters from migrating throught the sand.

I would seriously consider mixing the sand up before you stick any fish in the tank. I would also consider purchasing a detrivore kit from insland aquatics to keep your DSB bio active.

Suggest you go to Dr. Rons forum and look at the sticky post on DSB.

Hope this helps.

 

[mling]

I am on week 2 of cycling my tank. It is too late to mix my sand and Aragonite up ? Will I be totally messing up the cycling in the tank ?
Or does mixing the substrate have nothing to do with cycling a tank ?

 

[Kevin1000]

When dealing with sand bed problems fixing early is better than fixing latter.

I would fix now.

 

[tangir1]

I feel that with jawfish, you should use PVC risers to hold your rock up so that the fish can do anything it want, without having to worry about your rock tumbling down on the poor fellow....