substrate, which is better?

[67RedDonzi]

Just picked up everything for our new tank. We have 4 buckets (5gal) full of crushed coral or the sand substrate that was in the tank. Which do you prefer? Sand bed or crushed coral? Can both be used together?

 

[kschweer]

I would stay away from the crushed coral personally. It tends to trap a lot more detritus than a sand bed will in my experience. As far as sand choices I like either the Caribbean Fiji pink or tropic eden reef flakes and mini flakes. I would stay away from reusing old sand. For the relatively low cost of new sand I always recommend getting new sand.

 

[67RedDonzi]

We plan on rinsing the same very well before putting it back in the tank. Will that help?

 

[coralcollage]

I might be wrong, but I remember reading something about reusing sand that has been sitting. Something about phosphates or something? Maybe someone will chime in on that.

I can't exactly remember the kind of sand I have. I know it's not super fine, though.

It really comes down to your personal liking, however IMO I would avoid the super fine sand. I used to run it and it got kicked up so easily.

 

[dave9905]

Ive used old sand in the past, don't do it weather you rinse it or not. I battled every form of algae until I removed and replaced with new sand. I did rinse it prior but still continued to leach phosphates.

 

[Lockridge49]

I have crushed coral in my 8 g and I'm going to put live sand In the new 11 g I'm setting up... I haven't seen that much of a difference but that is a small tank with only two clowns and coral , I have live sand in my 34 g, I like the look of sand better so that's my two cents

 

[WhoKnew]

I had crushed coral in my 30g, it always looks dull and dirty. I am setting up a 46g and definitely going with live sand.

 

[Eckolancer]

Sandless bottom

 

[Lockridge49]

Sandless bottom

Super clean but I like to see the critters running around

 

[WhoKnew]

I had heard about the sand less bottoms. I am not sure of the pros and cons on them. Any ideas?

 

[Jenna X]

I prefer a deep sand bed (aesthetics). I have black sand as substrate for one tank and the other fiji pink aragonite. I prefer the latter since it's easier to see detritus on the black sand (I feel I have to constantly clean it). No issues with nitrates so far.

 

[Eckolancer]

I had heard about the sand less bottoms. I am not sure of the pros and cons on them. Any ideas?

Very easy to keep clean and nitrates almost never build up in the tank. As all the fish poop gets blown to the overflow if you have the right flow in the tank. Then let the filter sock do all the work for you.

 

[WhoKnew]

Most of the recommendations are not to reuse your sand.

 

[Mikefromaz01]

I use Arogonite super fine oolite. Not does it look better in a mid size tank, you can get the same isotope benefits as a deep sand bed in less depth. Finally, Arogonite is chock full of strontium and due to the fine structure hence surface area, it constantly leeches calcium. Once your bacteria kick in it sticks together well. As long as you are careful not to disturb it when you are working in the tank loudness shouldn't be much of an issue. Hope that helps.

 

[Mikefromaz01]

I use Arogonite super fine oolite. Not does it look better in a mid size tank, you can get the same isotope benefits as a deep sand bed in less depth. Finally, Arogonite is chock full of strontium and due to the fine structure hence surface area, it constantly leeches calcium. Once your bacteria kick in it sticks together well. As long as you are careful not to disturb it when you are working in the tank loudness shouldn't be much of an issue. Hope that helps.

sheesh......hate auto sellers. Isotope= biotope and lodness= cloudiness.

 

[KorL]

I personally like the sugar size sand. Or oolite. When snails and hermit crabs crawl on it, they leave interesting trail markings in the sand. But of course, you'll have to deal with sand storms. Just need to be creative with rock aquascaping and powerhead placement.

 

[67RedDonzi]

The sand is white and almost sugar size granules. The tank was up and running until we took it down to move I home. Never was it sitting. Would I be able to use the sand then? is my only worry the algae?
What about reusing crushed coral? I have 4 buckets (5 gallons each ) of this, though the crushed coral has been sitting for a while. If I boil it and rinse it well can I put it in the tank?

 

[67RedDonzi]

also, can I use a mix of sand and crushed coral? Maybe a base of sand and a bit of crushed coral on top?

 

[Eckolancer]

also, can I use a mix of sand and crushed coral? Maybe a base of sand and a bit of crushed coral on top?

Yes you can.

 

[Eckolancer]

The sand is white and almost sugar size granules. The tank was up and running until we took it down to move I home. Never was it sitting. Would I be able to use the sand then? is my only worry the algae?
What about reusing crushed coral? I have 4 buckets (5 gallons each ) of this, though the crushed coral has been sitting for a while. If I boil it and rinse it well can I put it in the tank?

Reusing can cause a lot of phosphates and bacteria blooms. If your going fish only you are fine to reuse it. But would still rinse it very well.