[zech.wicker]

I've been pondering why so many of you seem to lean towards the use of fine sand vs. crushed coral? I'd really like any insight on the subject (pro vs. cons). I currently am using some very nice looking live crushed coral, and haven't found much to be wrong with it yet...lol...but I've only had my tank for about a week now...LOL Just wanting to know if I really have the need to switch it anytime soon? Thanks.


-Zech

[zech.wicker]

Well, I just answered my own question on this one, by reading the thread that says "read this first before posting." LOL Make some sense I suppose...

[glampka]

I would switch. CC is going the way of UG filters. CC can become nitrate factories due to its' large particle size. Detritus can find its' way into it whereas with fine grain sand it sits on top of it & can be easily siphoned off. Think of a freshwater tank with an UG filter - you know how gunked up the gravel becomes - you don't want that in a reef tank. IMO sand looks so much better as well.

[jvharding]

I still use CC This subject has different opinions mostly that sand is the way to go, But I like my crushed coral. No Problems here. The DSB has its fair share of issues #1 being do not disturb it. I chose CC for natrual buffering and calcium reasons. So I still believe in the old school way.

[robertlee]

I'd switch. Used both in previous tank. Over all health of all inhabitants improved over time. Live sand brings the ocean to u're tank. May I suggest keeping as many live filters as possible, etc., rock, refugiums.

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

I love this thread because of the answer to same question. I chose to go with the samoa pink sand fine grain, will also put some live sand on top to 'seed' the bed, and leaning towards a bag or two of the reef sand that has the tiny shells in it. That way any burrowing guys I add can build their 'hide outs' - like jawfish,etc.

[Krazy]

Crushed Coral tends to need more maintance and is known to become a nitrate trap over time...

I use sand myself so I wouldnt know personally, but a good friend of mine had CC in his old 30 gallon tank and he was in a constant fight with nitrates, he blamed the CC, and he's since upgraded to a 72 gallon with sand and has concured his fight...

[Taras1]

For what my 2 cents is worth...I had CC when I set my 90 gal reef up about 5 mos ago. I had big time problems with Hair Algae. About 3 weeks ago I took everything out, scrubbed the tank and as much of my live rock as possible, switched to 100# of sugar sized sand/live sand, and set everything back up. I kept about 5# of the CC at the very bottom and mixed it in with the first layer of sand to seed my bed w/bacteria. I had an ammonia/nitrite peak in about 48 hours and since then things stablized.

The little bit of hair algae left over turned brown and is for the most part gone. A little grows in tufts for my lawnmower blenny and powder brown tang.

It was worth the hassle to change over.