Crushed Coral for Substrate

[Prisnic]

I have 200 gal. tank that has been up for about 3 1/2 months. I used crushed coral for my substrate and am now finding out this was probably a bad idea. I understand this may cause issues with nitrates in the future??? Any input is appreciated??

 

[shred5]

Well the grain size allows particulate matter to fall through where it will get trapped and the current cant carry it way. It will sit there and decays if not removed and can cause all kinds of issues. It really becomes a maintenance issue because it will have to be vacuumed and stirred constantly. Honestly I would remove it and go with fine calcium based sand or bare bottom.

Dave Polzin

 

[AmberL]

From what I've read, I would replace it. You can add the (wet) sand to your tank using a PVC pipe, that way you won't cause a sandstorm and make things all murky.

 

[Prisnic]

Wet Sand? Is that something I can buy? Any suggestions on how to proceed with the change? I understand removing the crushed coral to quickly could impact the beneficial bacteria within the system and cause a spike in ammonia and nitrite? Re-cycling the tank is not an option.
All suggestions are welcome. All input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,

 

[AmberL]

Wet Sand? Is that something I can buy? Any suggestions on how to proceed with the change? I understand removing the crushed coral to quickly could impact the beneficial bacteria within the system and cause a spike in ammonia and nitrite? Re-cycling the tank is not an option.
All suggestions are welcome. All input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,

You can either rinse your sand in RO water, or you can buy live sand. I started my tank with live sand to get the cycle going faster. It comes in the same plastic bags as dry sand, but it is full of water. You don't get quite as much sand in the bag, so it costs more. But it's already full of bacteria, which may beneficial for your tank.

I'm not sure how quickly you can remove your crushed coral; probably depends on how dirty it is. Hopefully someone here can answer that for you. Good luck!

 

[caudill187]

I set up my first reef with crushed coral and after a few months started battling hair algae and could not get rid of it to save my life. I eventually removed the crushed coral and the hair algae was gone in three weeks, never to return. I took mine out all at once and let the tank go bare bottom. I wouldn't worry too much about a cycle if you have live rock.

 

[fish&corals]

i use pink live fiji sand in my tank .. crushed coral is good for a layer on the bottom of your tank .. when your rock settles in the sand bed it will not reach the glass on the bottom .. crushed coral is not really good for reef set ups .. works better in predator tanks .. it does hold rates and rites with in the system ... IMO ....