Bed for tank

[joejoe]

It's almost time for me to put together my first tank, and I had a question. Do most people put down DSB's for the tank floor or do they put down CC? I can get CC for free but have not heard alot about it. Any ideas??

 

[cope787]

it depends on the setup of the tank. if it is FO. then crushed coral works fine, but if it is going to be a reef i recommend live sand

 

[joejoe]

What's the major difference in the two??

 

[cope787]

the sand is live. it has micro organisms in it and helps the tank cycle. the crushed coral is not live. personally i think live sand looks a lot better in the tank.

 

[joejoe]

Would it matter if I were going with FOWLR or reef in the decision of whether to use a sand or coral bed or is a DSB just a better choice for both??

 

[moopiespoo]

A dsb is just a better choice all around. As Kip said it will need to be vaccuumed constantly and no amount of clean up crew helps. I started out with cc and I regreted it. I am going on 2 years with a dsb and I love it. In my 55 I have all 70lbs ls in my 30 I did a 30 lb ls 30 lb play sand combo.

 

[dreeves]

Most people start with crushed coral as I did because I didnt know any better...then after they go through a bunch of continuous crap...like I did...trying to maintain it and the water quality...they switch to a DSB...like I did...
If for no other purpose...the looks as the white sand I like far better the the crushed coral...