Crushed Coral? Sand? HELPPPP?

[Ranger NRK]

So I've been researching saltwater tanks for a bit now and after a couple weeks of planning, forum browsing, frequent trips to LFS, and online research I cleaned my dads old 30gal hex and got my equipment. however when I went to the LFS I was told that the way to go was CC and even when I threw out some arguments that I had seen in forums about it they still assured me it was the way to go. So being the newbie I am in the saltwater world I took their advice and set up my tank with CC the said 3in of it and my tank will run fine, but now im concerned. its only been 3 days since I set the tank up and I would like to know if I need to change it.

 

[Gladfelter]

I don't like it because you can't really have sand sifting species. Also CC will change colors after awhile. Either purple or algae green/brown

 

[_Alex_]

Do not use crushed coral. Food and waste gets trapped down into the large cracks and can not be removed easily. They then decompose and cause horrible nitrates. I like look of sand much better, and use special grade reef floor sand.

I would change t out now before adding anything else


-Alex-

 

[Ranger NRK]

do you have any suggestions on how to change it out?

 

[_Alex_]

What's all in the tank right now?? If no inhabitants. Just take out the old and then replace with the new.


-Alex-

 

[chemisfun11]

If you have livestock in the tank. Siphon out small portions of the cc with some tubing when you do your water changes. This will upset everything in the tank much less, and once the cc is removed you can add a more appropriate substrate.

 

[Ranger NRK]

well there are no inhabitants that I care about. the only thing in there is this weird bug type thing that I have no idea what it is. its not a copepod and I don't think its a bristle worm. its small fast kinda tan brownish and it just scurries through the holes in my live rock not sure if its good or bad