Another "Sand vs. CC" question

Deinonych · 08/19/2012, 03:41 PM

From reading the forums, I understand that sand is the way to go. I was in a LFS today, and the owner swore up and down that crushed coral was the way to go. His reasoning was that sand gets hard and traps bad bacteria that can cause problems with algae blooms etc. I wasn't really in a position to argue with him, as my knowledge is limited at this point.

Thoughts?

JSeymour · 08/19/2012, 04:43 PM

Sand is by far the way to go, 1-2". Crushed coral traps WAY more detritus, is less favorable to worms and other sand dwelling organisms, sand sleeping fish will damage themselves diving in, and on, and on.

Typically, the only reason the sand in a reef tank will compact and become solid is from either having too low a magnesium concentration or too high of a pH. Both of these cause calcium to precipitate. This happens to crushed coral too. And 'bad' bacteria? I'm guessing he's talking about hydrogen sulfide gas being produced by anaerobic bacteria. Once again, this can happen in crushed coral too. A good clean up crew and sand diversity will help prevent this.

Just based off of the statements the owner made to you, I would not take their advise and possibly not shop at their store.

t4zalews · 08/19/2012, 04:52 PM

100% on sand.

+2 on taking caution with this LFS's suggestions for reef keeping.

Misled · 08/19/2012, 05:10 PM

There are many inverts that can be used to prevent sand from clumping. You should see the little clumps on cuke poop behind my cucumber.

FishAddict87 · 08/19/2012, 05:19 PM

Sand looks nicer too

mgraf · 08/19/2012, 05:43 PM

Just changed out from cc to sand. I liked the crushed coral, ran my reef for many years with it. Pistol shrimp loved it. Keep detrius from building up by vacuming sections with weekly water change. I think bristle worms and tiny serpent stars prefer it, along with a lot of other tiny critters. I now have a crushed coral and sand mix. Sand in the front 2/3of the tank, still cc in the back 1/3. I didn't want to move a lot of the rock work. I like the look of the white sugar sand. It's neat to see tracks from hermits and such in it. Also like how areas have flowed due to current in areas of tank, looks more realistic.
IMO, I think you are just fine with either, unless you have a critter that requires sand. I started saltwater in the early 80's. We used dolomite and crushed coral, had under gravel filters with power heads running them, vacumed the bed regularly. Didn't really have any problems back then. Regular maintenance is the key.

08/19/2012, 03:41 PM	#1
Deinonych Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 4,191	Another "Sand vs. CC" question From reading the forums, I understand that sand is the way to go. I was in a LFS today, and the owner swore up and down that crushed coral was the way to go. His reasoning was that sand gets hard and traps bad bacteria that can cause problems with algae blooms etc. I wasn't really in a position to argue with him, as my knowledge is limited at this point. Thoughts?

08/19/2012, 04:43 PM	#2
JSeymour Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Spokane Valley, WA Posts: 513	Sand is by far the way to go, 1-2". Crushed coral traps WAY more detritus, is less favorable to worms and other sand dwelling organisms, sand sleeping fish will damage themselves diving in, and on, and on. Typically, the only reason the sand in a reef tank will compact and become solid is from either having too low a magnesium concentration or too high of a pH. Both of these cause calcium to precipitate. This happens to crushed coral too. And 'bad' bacteria? I'm guessing he's talking about hydrogen sulfide gas being produced by anaerobic bacteria. Once again, this can happen in crushed coral too. A good clean up crew and sand diversity will help prevent this. Just based off of the statements the owner made to you, I would not take their advise and possibly not shop at their store. __________________ - Jason Seymour Current Tank Info: Saltwater only? It takes two buckets of salt to do a 10% water change...

08/19/2012, 04:52 PM	#3
t4zalews 65g Ritteri Tank Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Royal Oak, MI Posts: 2,673	100% on sand. +2 on taking caution with this LFS's suggestions for reef keeping. __________________ - Taylor - 65g - Radion XR30 G3 Pro x2 - Deltec SCA 1351 - APEX - Tunze - Vortech

08/19/2012, 05:10 PM	#4
Misled RC Mod Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 11,440 Blog Entries: 11	There are many inverts that can be used to prevent sand from clumping. You should see the little clumps on cuke poop behind my cucumber. __________________ Jesse I'm not saying I'm Batman. I'm just saying nobody has ever seen me and Batman in a room together.

08/19/2012, 05:19 PM	#5
FishAddict87 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NY Posts: 412	Sand looks nicer too __________________ 90 gallon Softie LPS Current Tank Info: 90 full reef

08/19/2012, 05:43 PM	#6
mgraf Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Canal Fulton Posts: 741	Just changed out from cc to sand. I liked the crushed coral, ran my reef for many years with it. Pistol shrimp loved it. Keep detrius from building up by vacuming sections with weekly water change. I think bristle worms and tiny serpent stars prefer it, along with a lot of other tiny critters. I now have a crushed coral and sand mix. Sand in the front 2/3of the tank, still cc in the back 1/3. I didn't want to move a lot of the rock work. I like the look of the white sugar sand. It's neat to see tracks from hermits and such in it. Also like how areas have flowed due to current in areas of tank, looks more realistic. IMO, I think you are just fine with either, unless you have a critter that requires sand. I started saltwater in the early 80's. We used dolomite and crushed coral, had under gravel filters with power heads running them, vacumed the bed regularly. Didn't really have any problems back then. Regular maintenance is the key.