Substrate help??

[akaboo]

Hello all,

Just wondering if I could get a little help. I have had my tank set up for about 2 years now. I am thinking it is about time to change out my substrate. I currently have crushed coral. I have read in a couple of places here that cc is not the best. What would you all reccomend. And should I change the substrate out in thirds? Any help would be greatly appreciated...

[Reefland]

akaboo,

Crushed Coral substrate is not the most productive, a deep bed of live sand is more helpful at reducing nitrates and a crushed coral bed is more helpful at raising nitrates. I think you should research both DSB's and bare bottoms as possible choices over your current CC substrate.

[akaboo]

So, are you saying that I should just leave the Crushed Coral in the tank and put live sand on top, or remove the Coral and replace it??

[Reefland]

It should be removed and replaced. There are several threads on the board that go into how this can be accomplished.

Placing fine particle sand over top of crushed coral will not work since the crushed coral will rise to the top over time and still leave the potential to trap detritus.

[sambo]

I have heard that cc can trap nitrates and nitrites below it. Hearing this, i switched over to live sand. If you buy dead sand, it may take up to a year for it to be considered "live". Pouring sand over the cc will just trap them as well. I recommend you remove the cc and put in sand. It also looks nicer

[akaboo]

thanks a lot, I guess I have my next great aquarium undertaking.

[Reefland]

You'll need to have a good plan and be very cautious when you do this; obviously it is going to disrupt your entire biological filtration.

[akaboo]

Thanks, I have been reading about the HD sand. I was wondering about the "live sand" that comes in 20 lb bags. I know it is pricey, but I plan on doing it over a 3 or 4 week period. I guess I am actually wondering if this "live sand" is a waste of money or will it help speed the cycling process any.


Steve

[Reefland]

The bagged "live sand" is a waste of money. Your better off getting dead dry aragonite sand and then seeding it with collected live fiji sand and sand from fellow reeferes tanks.