Crushed Coral, Sand or what?

Mark Bianco · 11/14/2012, 07:55 PM

I just had delivered my new to me 220gl to replace my 75gl. I will be doing a foam rock wall so I have plenty of time for planning everything else.

My question for years I have used crushed coral in all of my tanks except one time I put black sugar size sand in a RSM 130d Never again! From what I have been reading many say crushed coral is not good for a tank anymore? OK so what is everyone using and why?

Thanks in advance
Mark

thegrun · 11/14/2012, 08:20 PM

Sand. Crushed coral traps detritus and leads to higher nitrates.

b0bab0ey · 11/14/2012, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

Sand. Crushed coral traps detritus and leads to higher nitrates.

+1 After a while, the pretty white crushed coral will start to look nasty. Sometimes the sand does too, but it's a lot easier to clean.

Ptyochromis · 11/14/2012, 08:38 PM

I would say it depends more on what you plan to keep.

For the most part anything that digs should be kept on sugar-grain sand (I like oolite). You also don't need as deep a bed for an effective DSB than you would with crushed coral.

My sand bed is comprised of oolite and aragonite and is 2" deep(i wish I would have doubled it, but thats what the sump is for). Feather dusters are popping up, a glorious anoxic layer is forming and you can see tons of tunnels worms have made as they travel about. It's quite awesome. My holothuria keeps it rather clean so there is little work on my part.

There are also some animals that have difficulty traveling over sand so you may opt for a chunky substrate if you go with these guys.

Mark Bianco · 11/14/2012, 08:56 PM

The tank will be about 50/50 sps and softies with several fish.
Does anyone have any input on a bare bottom tank

funkejj · 11/14/2012, 09:23 PM

Go sugar sized and you will be fine. Bare bottom is nice when it is clean, lot of work keeping it clean.

hollister · 11/14/2012, 09:40 PM

Seems like it will be a mixed reef tank. Well crushed coral is a nitrate nightmare. And why use some fake display that will be unseen after time.

A sand bed 1.5 lbs per gallon min, and Live Rock 1.0 lb per gallon min. are your best bio filters.

AliciaP · 11/14/2012, 09:49 PM

Fake sand bed :P

GPB · 11/15/2012, 06:36 AM

I'd stay away from CC. Been there done that. Dirt trap!

downbeach · 11/15/2012, 06:58 AM

Here's what I subscribe to:
http://www.ronshimek.com/deep_sand_beds.html
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-0...ture/index.php
Using this substrate:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...21&pcatid=7321
I'd do 4+ inches.
Activated here:
http://www.ipsf.com/livesand.html
http://www.ipsf.com/reefworms.html

Ffollow the principals set forth in Ron Shimek's articles.
Get one each.

jag10016 · 11/15/2012, 01:15 PM

Crushed coral is a no no

thegrun · 11/15/2012, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Bianco

The tank will be about 50/50 sps and softies with several fish.
Does anyone have any input on a bare bottom tank

If you like the looks of a bare bottom they are fine. There are some small buffering advantages to having sand but BB is not an issue. I personally don't like the looks of BB and the fact that any detritus is very noticeable, but if you like it there isn't a problem with BB.

ptreef · 11/15/2012, 01:42 PM

CC..no as everyone said.

Go for the carib sea special grade. nice and fine for sifters and looks great. Easy to vaccum. Also won't get blown around like sugar stuff!

Also just go with a shallow sand bed, enuf to cover the bottom.

darkiss · 11/15/2012, 02:06 PM

where can you buy cheap sugar sized sand? I also have a 120 that needs some sand

11/14/2012, 07:55 PM	#1
Mark Bianco In Memoriam Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Infinity and Beyond Posts: 2,445	Crushed Coral, Sand or what? I just had delivered my new to me 220gl to replace my 75gl. I will be doing a foam rock wall so I have plenty of time for planning everything else. My question for years I have used crushed coral in all of my tanks except one time I put black sugar size sand in a RSM 130d Never again! From what I have been reading many say crushed coral is not good for a tank anymore? OK so what is everyone using and why? Thanks in advance Mark

11/14/2012, 08:38 PM	#4
Ptyochromis Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Tampa Posts: 467	I would say it depends more on what you plan to keep. For the most part anything that digs should be kept on sugar-grain sand (I like oolite). You also don't need as deep a bed for an effective DSB than you would with crushed coral. My sand bed is comprised of oolite and aragonite and is 2" deep(i wish I would have doubled it, but thats what the sump is for). Feather dusters are popping up, a glorious anoxic layer is forming and you can see tons of tunnels worms have made as they travel about. It's quite awesome. My holothuria keeps it rather clean so there is little work on my part. There are also some animals that have difficulty traveling over sand so you may opt for a chunky substrate if you go with these guys. __________________ WPG is a lie. Don't misidentify Phyllangia sp. as Aiptasia. Current Tank Info: skimmerless, sps dominant 29gal+20gal fuge. 100% NNR

11/14/2012, 09:49 PM	#8
AliciaP Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Western NY Posts: 461	Fake sand bed :P __________________ 120g BB A few hammers, a few xenia, kenya and a mushroom. 1 foxface rabbitfish, 1 Y tang, 1 dusky jawfish, 1 bicolor blenny, 2 o. clowns, 2 snowflake clowns, 2 blue/green chromis, 2 brittle stars, l Current Tank Info: 120 gallon BB saltwater tank

11/15/2012, 06:36 AM	#9
GPB Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Washington DC Posts: 633	I'd stay away from CC. Been there done that. Dirt trap! __________________ It is what it is! Current Tank Info: Oceanic 37g cube, AquaC Remora Skimmer, 6 x T5 ligts, SSB, 10g sump, GFO, GAC, Polyfilter

11/14/2012, 08:20 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Sand. Crushed coral traps detritus and leads to higher nitrates.

11/14/2012, 08:56 PM	#5
Mark Bianco In Memoriam Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Infinity and Beyond Posts: 2,445	The tank will be about 50/50 sps and softies with several fish. Does anyone have any input on a bare bottom tank

11/14/2012, 09:23 PM	#6
funkejj Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 747	Go sugar sized and you will be fine. Bare bottom is nice when it is clean, lot of work keeping it clean.

11/14/2012, 09:40 PM	#7
hollister Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 2,037	Seems like it will be a mixed reef tank. Well crushed coral is a nitrate nightmare. And why use some fake display that will be unseen after time. A sand bed 1.5 lbs per gallon min, and Live Rock 1.0 lb per gallon min. are your best bio filters.

11/15/2012, 06:58 AM	#10
downbeach Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Smyrna, Delaware Posts: 3,767	Here's what I subscribe to: http://www.ronshimek.com/deep_sand_beds.html http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-0...ture/index.php Using this substrate: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...21&pcatid=7321 I'd do 4+ inches. Activated here: http://www.ipsf.com/livesand.html http://www.ipsf.com/reefworms.html Ffollow the principals set forth in Ron Shimek's articles. Get one each.

11/15/2012, 01:15 PM	#11
jag10016 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 17	Crushed coral is a no no

11/15/2012, 01:42 PM	#13
ptreef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 746	CC..no as everyone said. Go for the carib sea special grade. nice and fine for sifters and looks great. Easy to vaccum. Also won't get blown around like sugar stuff! Also just go with a shallow sand bed, enuf to cover the bottom.

11/15/2012, 02:06 PM	#14
darkiss Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 569	where can you buy cheap sugar sized sand? I also have a 120 that needs some sand