CC vs Sand
- Thread starter angelgirl
- Start date
michaeltx
Moderator
sand is smaller so its harder for detruis and uneaten foods to get stuck in it also its good for micro fauna that we want in the sand beds.
CC catchs everything in the gaps betwen the particuls and isnt that good of a home for the micro fauna to live in.
plus the sand gives you a more natural look.
as far as mixing them you can but over time the CC will work its way to the top and starting trapping everything and cause a living problem with the micro fauna that lived in the sand.
Mike
CC catchs everything in the gaps betwen the particuls and isnt that good of a home for the micro fauna to live in.
plus the sand gives you a more natural look.
as far as mixing them you can but over time the CC will work its way to the top and starting trapping everything and cause a living problem with the micro fauna that lived in the sand.
Mike
1journeyman
Active Member
Aragonite sand is calcium based and begins to break down around a pH of 8.2. Therefore it makes a great buffer for your tank.
Sand is more natural. It is easier on your fish and inverts.
Sand's smaller grain size allows for more surface area for bacteria to live on.
CC has to be vaccuumed where as a sand bed can be more maintenance free (provided you start it properly).
Sand is more natural. It is easier on your fish and inverts.
Sand's smaller grain size allows for more surface area for bacteria to live on.
CC has to be vaccuumed where as a sand bed can be more maintenance free (provided you start it properly).
chickadee
Member
you don't have to wait to get a bigger aquarium to get cc... you can switch now. I did after i'd had my tank for about a year, and let me tell you, i'm so glad i did! Let me tell you something else, that CC was DISGUSTING!!! I vacuumed it weekly, and it was still horrific!
definately go with sand. If you like the look of cc, you can get a larger grain of sand, but still go with sand. Just make sure the sand you buy is calcium-based. It's so much better for your tank than silica-based. you can tell if it's calcium-based by adding a small amount of vinegar to a sample of it. If it starts fizzing or bubbling, that means it's calcium-based, if not, it's silica-based.
definately go with sand. If you like the look of cc, you can get a larger grain of sand, but still go with sand. Just make sure the sand you buy is calcium-based. It's so much better for your tank than silica-based. you can tell if it's calcium-based by adding a small amount of vinegar to a sample of it. If it starts fizzing or bubbling, that means it's calcium-based, if not, it's silica-based.
blessedyo
Member
Originally Posted by chickadee
you don't have to wait to get a bigger aquarium to get cc... you can switch now. I did after i'd had my tank for about a year, and let me tell you, i'm so glad i did! Let me tell you something else, that CC was DISGUSTING!!! I vacuumed it weekly, and it was still horrific!
definately go with sand. If you like the look of cc, you can get a larger grain of sand, but still go with sand. Just make sure the sand you buy is calcium-based. It's so much better for your tank than silica-based. you can tell if it's calcium-based by adding a small amount of vinegar to a sample of it. If it starts fizzing or bubbling, that means it's calcium-based, if not, it's silica-based.
Thanks for the sand suggestion. I will change over! I absolutely hate that I didn't start with it in the first place!!
You are right about it being disgusting!! Plus, cc limits the some of the inhabitants that can be kept!
But we can learn from out mistakes.
you don't have to wait to get a bigger aquarium to get cc... you can switch now. I did after i'd had my tank for about a year, and let me tell you, i'm so glad i did! Let me tell you something else, that CC was DISGUSTING!!! I vacuumed it weekly, and it was still horrific!
definately go with sand. If you like the look of cc, you can get a larger grain of sand, but still go with sand. Just make sure the sand you buy is calcium-based. It's so much better for your tank than silica-based. you can tell if it's calcium-based by adding a small amount of vinegar to a sample of it. If it starts fizzing or bubbling, that means it's calcium-based, if not, it's silica-based.
Thanks for the sand suggestion. I will change over! I absolutely hate that I didn't start with it in the first place!!
You are right about it being disgusting!! Plus, cc limits the some of the inhabitants that can be kept!