Crushed coral

littlemannin · 05/10/2006, 05:01 PM

I've heard that crushed coral holds nitrates. Is this true? And can I add LS to it maybe to reduce this problem? If so can I just add it or am I going to see a cycle because of dead stuff in the LS?

MCary · 05/10/2006, 05:08 PM

No its not true the way you worded it. Because of the large size of crushed coral, food and other detritus can get traped between the grains. While it sits there rotting, unable to be removed by the filter, skimmer, or fish it (detritus) elevates nitrates.

Mike

Gooli · 05/10/2006, 05:10 PM

take my word for it...in time, you'll want a cool looking sandbed that is more natural looking and you'll end up removing the CC and replacing it with sand. Do it right from the start and go with sand.

Why do u want CC anyway?

littlemannin · 05/10/2006, 05:10 PM

So would the live sand help break it down?

littlemannin · 05/10/2006, 05:17 PM

I've had it in there for a while. but your right I do want sand! but I don't really want to remove it all.Plus I'm not sure its deep enough anyway. The CC is about 2 inches and the deep sand bed is always in the back of my mind.I could add LS and make it deeper without a problem...Right?

Gooli · 05/10/2006, 05:22 PM

it's not that big of a deal to make the switch...just need a day to spare on the weekend or something and need lots of large container(s) and a pump. I did it with my 46g bow.

About the whole nitrate lowering thing...the most effecient way to reduce nitrates is to export using macro algae...works for me and for plenty of other people. Usually Cheato is the choice of algae. I was too at first interested in a DSB, but after seeing the visual of it and the benefits it may or may not give me, i decided to do without it. If i could do it all over again, i would have only 1/2" - 1" of sand just for the look.

i hope this helps.

littlemannin · 05/10/2006, 05:36 PM

Thanks for the advice. I think I may try to remove the CC and replace with LS

05/10/2006, 05:01 PM	#1
littlemannin Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 276	Crushed coral I've heard that crushed coral holds nitrates. Is this true? And can I add LS to it maybe to reduce this problem? If so can I just add it or am I going to see a cycle because of dead stuff in the LS?

05/10/2006, 05:10 PM	#3
Gooli Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Los Angeles Posts: 3,746	take my word for it...in time, you'll want a cool looking sandbed that is more natural looking and you'll end up removing the CC and replacing it with sand. Do it right from the start and go with sand. Why do u want CC anyway? __________________ "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. " - Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: 180g SPS

05/10/2006, 05:22 PM	#6
Gooli Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Los Angeles Posts: 3,746	it's not that big of a deal to make the switch...just need a day to spare on the weekend or something and need lots of large container(s) and a pump. I did it with my 46g bow. About the whole nitrate lowering thing...the most effecient way to reduce nitrates is to export using macro algae...works for me and for plenty of other people. Usually Cheato is the choice of algae. I was too at first interested in a DSB, but after seeing the visual of it and the benefits it may or may not give me, i decided to do without it. If i could do it all over again, i would have only 1/2" - 1" of sand just for the look. i hope this helps. __________________ "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. " - Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: 180g SPS

05/10/2006, 05:08 PM	#2
MCary Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hardin, Montana Posts: 3,142	No its not true the way you worded it. Because of the large size of crushed coral, food and other detritus can get traped between the grains. While it sits there rotting, unable to be removed by the filter, skimmer, or fish it (detritus) elevates nitrates. Mike

05/10/2006, 05:17 PM	#5
littlemannin Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 276	I've had it in there for a while. but your right I do want sand! but I don't really want to remove it all.Plus I'm not sure its deep enough anyway. The CC is about 2 inches and the deep sand bed is always in the back of my mind.I could add LS and make it deeper without a problem...Right?

05/10/2006, 05:36 PM	#7
littlemannin Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 276	Thanks for the advice. I think I may try to remove the CC and replace with LS