How do you guys feel about crushed shells as the substrate on the bottom?

[Nathan2585]

I am setting my tank and instead of sand wanted to use crushed shells as the base instead of sand. Has anyone done this and would it build up with things I don't want in my tank? I just think it looks better than just sand in the bottom....

 

[KillerKlownFish]

I have crushed coral. Not sure what I'd prefer more since I never had sand but I do know some gobies and shrimp prefer sand so take that into consideration. Another thing is frags I think would stay in the sand better. I wanted to try and switch but I think that would cause a spike and restart a cycle. Again I'm not sure. One maybe easier to clean as well. Take your time and research. I'd like to know more as well...
Good luck

 

[NobleSun27]

It could limit you on certain animals that need sand like wrasses and beneficial worms. But it might help with breeding amhipods an copipods they love hiding in that stuff. It will also be a little easier to clean up detritus. So there are pros and cons just like everything in this hobby. Good luck

 

[Jimbo662]

It's also know to collect a lot of detritus since there's more open space between the particles.

 

[Jonn]

Another pro is if you plan on going with high flow in the tank for say SPSs it will definatly not move/blow around like sand would.

 

[KillerKlownFish]

I'm thinking of switching to sand. I read you can also keep an inch of crushed coral w sand

 

[Reefing Madness]

It's also know to collect a lot of detritus since there's more open space between the particles.

Yea, I agree with this. I currently run CC in my tank, and have sone so from the beginning, I tend to dig into it every few months to release the build up. But like the fact it tends to stay put better in high flow.

 

[Bad Company]

Adding sand will not cause a nutrient spike. I have a mix of cc and sand, and that seems to work out well. The cc ends up on top, and the sand fills in the gaps:

 

[KillerKlownFish]

Nice thanks for the help

 

[KillerKlownFish]

Swapped out to sand:

 

[Bluelobstor]

It all depends on what you want in ur tank. Everybody has pretty much given u the pros and cons. I myself have a dsb with fine sand mostly for denitrification purposes. Why do u want a sandbed? If it is purely for looks I would go with cc but no more than 1/2 inch in depth.