Help on crushed or live sand

[Amtrack]

Starting a 75 gallon saltwater up. Local fish store said use crushed coral and live sand. Reading some posts online saying go with a deep sand base only. What is the benefit or risk of mixing the two. Please help

 

[Trex]

WELCOME.

I would use neither. Crushed coral just becomes a detritus trap (( even if you "gravel vac" it )), and IMO, live sand isn't worth the extra money. Dry sand will work just fine.

Do you have any idea of what you plan on keeping in the tank?

All of my tanks have a 2-3 inch sandbed (( for the goby and sandbed dwelling anemones )), that I gravel vac with each weekly water change.

 

[Amtrack]

Was going to do reef with 3-4 fish.

 

[Amtrack]

Eventually someday with more money maybe 125 gallon tank.

 

[Dog Boy Dave]

Starting a 75 gallon saltwater up. Local fish store said use crushed coral and live sand. Reading some posts online saying go with a deep sand base only. What is the benefit or risk of mixing the two. Please help

Ron Shimek's Website...Deep Sand Beds
This guy is the Sultan of Sand. He discusses sand size and why it does matter. Even if you don't use a DSB it's worth taking a minute to learn some of the reasons behind the magic.

 

[Amtrack]

Thank you

 

[Amtrack]

Starting to think clean up crew for new tank. Noticed some online sites that sold them in bulk and different species. Some had sand shifting star fish. My question is aren't these bad for sand bottom tank and reef tanks or was I told wrong?

 

[Trex]

I, personally, would skip that star --- it is going to strip your sandbed of almost all life, and then slowly starve to death --- at least that has been my experiences.

 

[Amtrack]

Thanks just wanted to confirm what I have read about them. From a real person