Crushed Coral vs. sand

cvsailer · 04/24/2013, 10:52 AM

I set up a 92 gallon corner FOWLR in January with a crushed coral substrate as opposed to sand. I've read on RC that crushed coral is not recommended, why?

ptreef · 04/24/2013, 11:18 AM

It has a tendancy to trap stuff more and is not ideal for sifters like gobies, etc....
Plus sand looks better! I love carib sea special grade!

1troy7 · 04/24/2013, 11:18 AM

Get lots of detritus in the crushed coral. Will drive you nitrates up.

ptreef · 04/24/2013, 11:18 AM

Also harder to vacuum

Sk8r · 04/24/2013, 11:20 AM

DOn't vacuum a sandbed.
But in general, CC forms accretions, eventually, large solid lumps that aren't that great as a sandbed. As you lift these out over time, you can feed in some decent aragonite that will do better for you.

ptreef · 04/24/2013, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

DOn't vacuum a sandbed.

DSB...

Shallow sand beds vacuum away!

cvsailer · 04/24/2013, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

DOn't vacuum a sandbed.
But in general, CC forms accretions, eventually, large solid lumps that aren't that great as a sandbed. As you lift these out over time, you can feed in some decent aragonite that will do better for you.

Thanks for the insight. One of the reasons I did get the CC is because I felt I could vacuum it during water changes and that would be beneficial. I assume it would also help prevent the accretions you referred to? Let me know what you think. Thx again!

04/24/2013, 10:52 AM	#1
cvsailer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 216	Crushed Coral vs. sand I set up a 92 gallon corner FOWLR in January with a crushed coral substrate as opposed to sand. I've read on RC that crushed coral is not recommended, why?

04/24/2013, 11:20 AM	#5
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	DOn't vacuum a sandbed. But in general, CC forms accretions, eventually, large solid lumps that aren't that great as a sandbed. As you lift these out over time, you can feed in some decent aragonite that will do better for you. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

04/24/2013, 11:18 AM	#2
ptreef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 746	It has a tendancy to trap stuff more and is not ideal for sifters like gobies, etc.... Plus sand looks better! I love carib sea special grade!

04/24/2013, 11:18 AM	#3
1troy7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 33	Get lots of detritus in the crushed coral. Will drive you nitrates up.