Did I screw up.....again?

[AirAngel]

I set my tank up about 7 weeks ago. Its cycled and I have some critters, fish, and corals.
So I was considering fish for stocking and liked a couple of Gobys and Mandarins. Thought they need sand.
Figured that wasn't going to happen because I used crushed coral sparingly. So I got to thinking just scratch those fish off the list.
I research some particular fish and some say ok without sand as long as its fine gravel
I have read posts about no sand, deep sand, shallow sand. I have even read that crushed coral is a cardinal sin.

Do I remove the crushed coral?
Do I add sand over it?
Do I need to use sand only??

I dont want to mess up what I have done in cycling it.
WHAT do I do???

AND there is no smiley for "HANDS IN THE AIR"!!

 

[skinz78]

Haha, just slowly add some finer sand over the top of what you have, don't do it all at once, just a couple cups each day and you'll be fine.

 

[solar]

The sand will settle to the bottom and the crushed coral will stay on top.
I would remove it and put in 1-2" layer of sand towards the front and 2-3" in the middle

 

[fishman1069]

The sand will settle to the bottom and the crushed coral will stay on top.
I would remove it and put in 1-2" layer of sand towards the front and 2-3" in the middle

+1 Crushed coral is nothing but a detritus trap. Ditch it and go with an aragonite sand

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[Trex]

From another thread you mentioned that you have an "BTA" and "carpet" anemones -- the E. quadricolor is rock dwelling, so that isn't an issue. However, if the anemone is an S. haddoni, it is a sandbed dwelling anemone that requires a sandbed.

 

[skinz78]

I haven't had the issue of the CC coming to the top in my tank. I did 1" of CC and then 1.5" of fine sand on top.

 

[ReeferBob]

How big is the tank? 7 weeks is too early for coral IMO. Also no way a 7 week old tank can support even 1 Mandarin, they eat a TON of pods. Almost 100% chance it will starve to death.

 

[skinz78]

How big is the tank? 7 weeks is too early for coral IMO. Also no way a 7 week old tank can support even 1 Mandarin, they eat a TON of pods. Almost 100% chance it will starve to death.

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[AirAngel]

How big is the tank? 7 weeks is too early for coral IMO. Also no way a 7 week old tank can support even 1 Mandarin, they eat a TON of pods. Almost 100% chance it will starve to death.

. It involved very nice rock loaded with stuff. (Emeralds crabs, brain coral, sponge, etc). I got a lot of the water and.he.gave.me the anemones
Moved an established 50 (with corals and the 2 anemones).into it at week 4. Week 6 I added quite a few corals from the local club prez.
Nothing has died yet. I did regularly test and have the lfs test also.
I'm not adding a Mandarin, I'm composing a fish list.
I took it down today and removed coral for live sand. Actually still working on it 7 hrs later.

 

[nickbuol]

I made the mistake of putting crushed coral into a previous tank about 15 years ago. Switching to sand was a pain in the butt for sure, but when it was done, it was really nice. In my currently cycled, but unstocked (I know...) 120 tank, I went with argonate of course.

The swap out will be worth it and by now you have it completed.

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

if you put finer sand on top like suggested above it will eventually settle down into the bottom and crushed coral will remain on top. i would slowly remove the CC and replace it with finer sand. 25% a week will not disturb ur biofilter. you ca siphon the CC out in sections while using a pvc pipe and funnel u can drop the finer sand back in without causing much mess/milkiness in water.

 

[Squishie89]

I am glad this was brought up as I apparently need to add some finer sand to my tank as well. I think I may be able to rake and sift out a lot of the larger pieces that have come to the surface.

 

[AirAngel]

Whew!!!
What a job!!!
All the cc is out. Sand inand settled. 5 hours sleep. Aquascaping 175 lbs (added 70 more) live rock is quite a job!!
Corals and critters back in (found &removed black claw crab).
I am happy with the look of it.
NVR again will I make that mistake or move this tank!!!! Time for a nap.

 

[Trex]

Was that new live rock (( all 70 lbs of it )) cured? Where did you get it?
Concerned about adding that much rock to a new tank might cause a mini-cycle -- with all the corals and anemones in that new tank, that could be a big issue.

 

[AirAngel]

Was that new live rock (( all 70 lbs of it )) cured? Where did you get it?
Concerned about adding that much rock to a new tank might cause a mini-cycle -- with all the corals and anemones in that new tank, that could be a big issue.

. It was cured from a local member. Thanks for checkin. I do appreciate it.
Didn't know about. That's why I'm here learning

 

[skinz78]

I made the mistake of putting crushed coral into a previous tank about 15 years ago. Switching to sand was a pain in the butt for sure, but when it was done, it was really nice. In my currently cycled, but unstocked (I know...) 120 tank, I went with argonate of course.

The swap out will be worth it and by now you have it completed.

if you put finer sand on top like suggested above it will eventually settle down into the bottom and crushed coral will remain on top. i would slowly remove the CC and replace it with finer sand. 25% a week will not disturb ur biofilter. you ca siphon the CC out in sections while using a pvc pipe and funnel u can drop the finer sand back in without causing much mess/milkiness in water.

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[skinz78]

Whew!!!
What a job!!!
All the cc is out. Sand inand settled. 5 hours sleep. Aquascaping 175 lbs (added 70 more) live rock is quite a job!!
Corals and critters back in (found &removed black claw crab).
I am happy with the look of it.
NVR again will I make that mistake or move this tank!!!! Time for a nap.

Haha Pic's????:tongue: