siphoning my base media?

stevercleeze · 04/06/2011, 10:17 AM

is it a good or bad idea to siphon my crushed coral when i do water changes? i only have a very thin layer of crushed coral as my base, maybe 1/2 in at the most.

cloak · 04/06/2011, 11:00 AM

You don't have to do it all the time, but it would be a good idea to do it once in awhile. Three months is still a pretty young tank but from your signature it looks like your not having any problems with it. CC is not really the best option as far as a substrate goes so keep an eye on it. If you start pulling out a ton of muck, you'll have to vacume more often. Plain & simple.

stevercleeze · 04/06/2011, 11:40 AM

thats kind of what ive been doing and i was thinking of adding sand to the tank.

thegrun · 04/06/2011, 01:48 PM

In general, crushed coral is a poor choice as it collects detritus and will lead to higher nitrates. If you are thinking about adding sand, I would remove the crushed coral. Replace 1/4 to 1/3 of the crushed coral at a time, adding sand in its place. Wait a week between additions. If you just place the sand on top of the crushed coral, over time it will work its way up to the surface again.

04/06/2011, 10:17 AM	#1
stevercleeze Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: chicago Posts: 66	siphoning my base media? is it a good or bad idea to siphon my crushed coral when i do water changes? i only have a very thin layer of crushed coral as my base, maybe 1/2 in at the most. __________________ 75 gal, 4.5mo, Sump: 15 gal, Skimmer: aquarium sys 150, nitrate:0 amm:0, temp:80, Water: ro/di, Salinity: 1.025, Alk: 8.2 ,Lts 2x 250 w mh, 4 pc act, Cal: 400, Mag: 1300, Current Tank Info: 75 gal reef

04/06/2011, 11:40 AM	#3
stevercleeze Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: chicago Posts: 66	thats kind of what ive been doing and i was thinking of adding sand to the tank. __________________ 75 gal, 4.5mo, Sump: 15 gal, Skimmer: aquarium sys 150, nitrate:0 amm:0, temp:80, Water: ro/di, Salinity: 1.025, Alk: 8.2 ,Lts 2x 250 w mh, 4 pc act, Cal: 400, Mag: 1300, Current Tank Info: 75 gal reef

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
ORP to pH Probe on Apex Base Module	bbalak	Neptune Systems	1	03/26/2011 06:09 AM
Lace Rock - base rock	BradMugs	New to the Hobby	4	12/11/2010 09:40 PM
New media reactor lineup now shipping	ctenophore	Avast Marine Works	0	11/26/2010 03:35 PM
Highly porus media vs LR when Org. Carb. Dosing.	AaronM	The Reef Chemistry Forum	13	07/23/2010 02:36 PM
DIY Base rock question	scubasteve3403	Reef Discussion	2	01/29/2010 09:23 AM

04/06/2011, 11:00 AM	#2
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	You don't have to do it all the time, but it would be a good idea to do it once in awhile. Three months is still a pretty young tank but from your signature it looks like your not having any problems with it. CC is not really the best option as far as a substrate goes so keep an eye on it. If you start pulling out a ton of muck, you'll have to vacume more often. Plain & simple.

04/06/2011, 01:48 PM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	In general, crushed coral is a poor choice as it collects detritus and will lead to higher nitrates. If you are thinking about adding sand, I would remove the crushed coral. Replace 1/4 to 1/3 of the crushed coral at a time, adding sand in its place. Wait a week between additions. If you just place the sand on top of the crushed coral, over time it will work its way up to the surface again.