[flockboss]

Whats wrong with using CC for my tank's substrate
Just getting started

[glampka]

CC has a large particle size. As such detritus & all other garbage will easily find it's way into the bed & become a nitrate problem. Secondly, CC isn't good for starfish & the like. It tends to scrape them.

[rlcline76]

It traps all of the detritus and nasty gases. You'll be fighting high nitrates and everything else if you use that for substrate. Not that great for all of the subtrate microfauna either, the particle size is too big. Trust me, my husband put that crap in his tank and I have the pleasure of slowly taking it out and replacing it with live sand.

[flockboss]

Can I put a screen on top of the cc and then put live sand on top of that
Will that work

[rlcline76]

That won't do anything for the nutrients. You already put it in the tank haven't you?

[glampka]

Screen would have to be extremely fine to keep the sand from getting through it. Any particle smaller than the cc will eventually find its' way through it leaving the CC on the surface.

[flockboss]

No It's not in the tank yet But ithas been ordered and will be here tomorrow
anyone need 80# of crushed coral?

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Deep Sand Beds

[jvharding]

I love this Debate and I am the One who will say that CC has a bad Rap. Use of crushed coral in a 1 inch layer is not detrimental to a reef it has been in mine for 7 years. It's also not a bad idea to mix with sand. I totaly disagree with this mention of it being bad. It depends on how much of it you use. Water flow and your filtration of your tank. I am sorry to all my friends here but I refuse to jump on the sand bandwagon. Sand has its fair share of draw backs as well.

[rlcline76]

I have sand in one tank and CC in another, and I am telling you now, that I do not get a chance to enjoy any of my tanks because I am working on one twice a week to keep the nutrients low. Jack, you and I have not reconciled yet...just a reminder. You can get bs with sand, but nothing like a CC bed.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

DSB article - CALFO

[jvharding]

Awesome article Native

I am in favor of very light substrate sand and crushed coral or none in a reef thats my preference I just feel that CC has got a bad rap.

[flockboss]

Thanks for the info I think I will study
this a bit more before I set the tank up.
So I need at least 2 or 3 inches of sand before the sand does any good!!!

[jvharding]

That would be Ideal IMO but remember to keep the sand out in front your live rock should be placed in tank with no sand beneath it. Some where I have an artical on the mixing of substrate and the benefits. I'll see if I can find it. More reading good Idea! Then form your own opinion and please let us know.

[flockboss]

No sand under the live rock Why?
That would save sand, Is there any other reason why?

[rlcline76]

It is possible that some of the sand sifting critters can create instability with rock on top of sand, because they burrow under the rocks.

[ncdiablo]

Simply put with fine sand what you do is lay out your live rock without sand in it make sure it's stable, then back fill with sand and even with burrowers you will have no issues with stablity.

[flockboss]

Ok, I am going to use Live sand,Ocean Direct aragonite.
This is a 90gal Corner Bowfront Will 120lbs of live sand and 50 lbs of live rock
be enough to start with, I have a wet/dry filter with a 1200 GPH pump and a pro clear in sump Skimmer

[glampka]

You want more LR - usually 1.5 - 2 lbs./gal. depending on density. If you add some now & some later your tank will end up going through minicycles.