Is florida crushed coral really that bad?

[CoastieFlo]

So I am new to the reefing, I am about to get my first reef tank and I'm split on what substrate to go with. I have done some research on special grade, no sand, fiji pink and everything else. But my LFS recommended florida crushed coral because it supposedly provides stability with ph and doesn't get blown around and scratch the tank as easy. I do like burrowing fish and have heard this is not good for them. So I guess another question is sand really that damaging or a pain to deal with over florida crushed coral?

 

[Spare time]

The sand shouldn't do anything to affect your pH if you go with one crushed coral over regular sand used.

Typically the most popular is reef sand (carib sea special grade). Fiji pink is the most popular sand under that size. I have ocean direct in my tank which gets lifted in to the water column by my diamond goby but otherwise is nice.

I guess it really comes down to if you are having a very high flow tank or not.

 

[Jekyl]

I use crushed coral in my tank but I'm not the norm. I run an RUGF system so sand won't work for me. I have no issues with it.

 

[Spare time]

I use crushed coral in my tank but I'm not the norm. I run an RUGF system so sand won't work for me. I have no issues with it.

What does RUGF mean?

 

[kaylajoy]

What does RUGF mean?

Reverse under gravel filter

 

[dedragon]

reverse under gravel filter, and just curious myself how its been working out for you. Not many people run them

 

[mdb_talon]

It can raise PH only if your ph is very low for a normal reef tank. I have heard anywhere from below 7.7 to below 7.4 it will have an impact. It is kind of how a calcium reactor works in that a low ph is used to "break down" that aragonite adding calcium and alkalinity to the tank. In the case of a calc reactor though you have to intentionally lower ph in the reactor to make it work.

So i think it can raise PH (or stabilize it at a very low level), but if your ph is low enough for it to make a difference you probably have other issues

 

[Jekyl]

reverse under gravel filter, and just curious myself how its been working out for you. Not many people run them

I had Paul B help me in the setup and I did what I could to mimic his system and philosophy. 2 years old and the only fish I've lost was to suicide.

 

[dedragon]

cool paul is a good guy, do you live out on long island as well? Also how fast can you run the flow on it? Next tank I planed to use two little fishes calcium reactor media and a crushed coral base so i may need to steal you idea

 

[Jekyl]

The flow for the ugf? I have a 650 pump the I run to the 2 plates for my 90. So roughly 275gph to each. Paul runs 500

 

[dedragon]

Do you think that is the max you can or should run it or do you think higher flow would have helped? Sorry to hijack the thread a bit.
So I will add here it is perfectly fine to use in aquariums, dont go too deep or too coarse with the material unless you plan to do what jekyl has done as larger pieces can trap detritus and waste and cause nitrate build up

 

[Jekyl]

I would actually prefer a lower flow than what I have. Paul has the ideal setup obviously.

 

[Spare time]

Reverse under gravel filter

Ah thanks!

 

[Ryan Doolittle]

I'm going to bump this up. How is the Florida crush coral for wrasses?

The Reef Flakes is nearly impossible to get in Canada and this looks like a good alternative. I have 150x turn over in my tank. Fiji Pink is too fine for me and want something more course. I think the Caribsea Special will be too fine.

Does anyone have decent photos of it in their tank or the Select in their tank? I just sold 80lbs of Fiji pink without putting it into my tank.