crush coral!!!!!!should i chang?
- Thread starter lluv24
- Start date
chana
Member
IMO Deep sand bed (DSb)is the way to go.
This cultivates Anaerobic bacteria that remove nitrates. You never need or want to syphon it. You just add it to your tank and forget about it.
If you add it you want it to be 6" deep to be the most beneficial.
I am not sure how much you should add all at ounce or how to add if you already have fish. But if you decide to do this I am sure someone on here has done it before.
Hope this helps
This cultivates Anaerobic bacteria that remove nitrates. You never need or want to syphon it. You just add it to your tank and forget about it.
If you add it you want it to be 6" deep to be the most beneficial.
I am not sure how much you should add all at ounce or how to add if you already have fish. But if you decide to do this I am sure someone on here has done it before.
Hope this helps
reefforbrains
Active Member
Crushed coral is not a deal breaker. It can become a thorn in the side when your aiming for pristine water quality. The small areas where junk can collect and basically compost can forever be that last inch you cant get when aiming for 0/0/0.
Contrary to others, I would actually recommend a very shallow sandbed. Easier to maintain because it is just fluff. The bacteria that will grow on it will never be cut off from circulation. It can be ruffled or shoveled without any fear of exposing the tank to anything toxic. It wont have that deep pull of the septic tank style filtration a DSB can provide, but it also has none of the the risks. Besides you can just grab scoops and agitate in a container of tank water to remove any discoloration or junk. Then just toss the sand back in the tank.
This would be a big no-no with DSB's. It could kick up a cloud with crush coral too and present the similar dangers with toxic exposure.
Sand is softer for tankmates. It expands the surface area for biological filtration. It can be kept spotless if you choose without risk. We all have our own preferences and theories. Each hobbiest with their own regiment for how much attention to detail or threshold for cleaning. Sandbeds, when thin offer many bonuses and minimal risks for the average hobbiest.
JMO and Good luck with the method you decide.
-RFB
Contrary to others, I would actually recommend a very shallow sandbed. Easier to maintain because it is just fluff. The bacteria that will grow on it will never be cut off from circulation. It can be ruffled or shoveled without any fear of exposing the tank to anything toxic. It wont have that deep pull of the septic tank style filtration a DSB can provide, but it also has none of the the risks. Besides you can just grab scoops and agitate in a container of tank water to remove any discoloration or junk. Then just toss the sand back in the tank.
This would be a big no-no with DSB's. It could kick up a cloud with crush coral too and present the similar dangers with toxic exposure.
Sand is softer for tankmates. It expands the surface area for biological filtration. It can be kept spotless if you choose without risk. We all have our own preferences and theories. Each hobbiest with their own regiment for how much attention to detail or threshold for cleaning. Sandbeds, when thin offer many bonuses and minimal risks for the average hobbiest.
JMO and Good luck with the method you decide.
-RFB
btldreef
Moderator
Originally Posted by ReefForBrains
http:///forum/post/3155822
Crushed coral is not a deal breaker. It can become a thorn in the side when your aiming for pristine water quality. The small areas where junk can collect and basically compost can forever be that last inch you cant get when aiming for 0/0/0.
Contrary to others, I would actually recommend a very shallow sandbed. Easier to maintain because it is just fluff. The bacteria that will grow on it will never be cut off from circulation. It can be ruffled or shoveled without any fear of exposing the tank to anything toxic. It wont have that deep pull of the septic tank style filtration a DSB can provide, but it also has none of the the risks. Besides you can just grab scoops and agitate in a container of tank water to remove any discoloration or junk. Then just toss the sand back in the tank.
This would be a big no-no with DSB's. It could kick up a cloud with crush coral too and present the similar dangers with toxic exposure.
Sand is softer for tankmates. It expands the surface area for biological filtration. It can be kept spotless if you choose without risk. We all have our own preferences and theories. Each hobbiest with their own regiment for how much attention to detail or threshold for cleaning. Sandbeds, when thin offer many bonuses and minimal risks for the average hobbiest.
JMO and Good luck with the method you decide.
-RFB
+1
Deep sand beds and crushed coral are too much work and have too many risks. There are many debates over whether a DSB or a SB are better and how to keep them clean as stated above. I have 2-3" thickness throughout my tank of Caribsea Aragonite Fine grade Live Sand, have done this in all 3 of my tanks and, with a good CUC, never have issues.
http:///forum/post/3155822
Crushed coral is not a deal breaker. It can become a thorn in the side when your aiming for pristine water quality. The small areas where junk can collect and basically compost can forever be that last inch you cant get when aiming for 0/0/0.
Contrary to others, I would actually recommend a very shallow sandbed. Easier to maintain because it is just fluff. The bacteria that will grow on it will never be cut off from circulation. It can be ruffled or shoveled without any fear of exposing the tank to anything toxic. It wont have that deep pull of the septic tank style filtration a DSB can provide, but it also has none of the the risks. Besides you can just grab scoops and agitate in a container of tank water to remove any discoloration or junk. Then just toss the sand back in the tank.
This would be a big no-no with DSB's. It could kick up a cloud with crush coral too and present the similar dangers with toxic exposure.
Sand is softer for tankmates. It expands the surface area for biological filtration. It can be kept spotless if you choose without risk. We all have our own preferences and theories. Each hobbiest with their own regiment for how much attention to detail or threshold for cleaning. Sandbeds, when thin offer many bonuses and minimal risks for the average hobbiest.
JMO and Good luck with the method you decide.
-RFB
+1
janastasio
Member
I used to have crushed coral. Purchased the tank from someone else and didnt know any better. I was always siphoning my cc and my params were never perfect. I also never got any coraline algae growth. I make the big plunge and swapped over to a shallow sand bed. Quite the task, but well worth it. My water params are better, my water is clearer and crisper and I have lots of coraline algae growing on my rocks and wall of the aquarium. I definitely recommend the switch!
lluv24
Member
ok u guys talked me into it!!!!!!!!!!!! so how should i do it, i was wanting to move the tank to a different spot. so maybe that would be the perfect time
also i just started using ro di water so when i move the tank how much water should i save? and i guess i will put the lr and fish ,corals in plastic totes and buckets. then when i get the tank moved to the new spot how should i add the sand? and how long should i wait to put everthing back in?
phoenix73
Member
I just did this about 3 months ago.
What a difference. I can't believe that I was struggling with my water quality for so long due to the CC. Now, I use 2" of sand and RO water and my parameters are perfect.
I moved all of my fish to my quarantine tank, live rocks and inverts to a tub.
Then I scooped all of the CC out and tossed it. I rinsed all of the (non-live)sand in fresh water until water ran almost clear. Then I put it in the tank with all filtration and powerheads off. I added my live sand and mixed it gently with the non-live sand.
It took about 24 hours for the water to clear via gravity alone. Then I turned on my filtration (refuge and cannister). After about 12 hours, I put the powerheads on and added the live rock back in. Then the fish etc..
All is well now.
Have fun
What a difference. I can't believe that I was struggling with my water quality for so long due to the CC. Now, I use 2" of sand and RO water and my parameters are perfect.
I moved all of my fish to my quarantine tank, live rocks and inverts to a tub.
Then I scooped all of the CC out and tossed it. I rinsed all of the (non-live)sand in fresh water until water ran almost clear. Then I put it in the tank with all filtration and powerheads off. I added my live sand and mixed it gently with the non-live sand.
It took about 24 hours for the water to clear via gravity alone. Then I turned on my filtration (refuge and cannister). After about 12 hours, I put the powerheads on and added the live rock back in. Then the fish etc..
All is well now.
Have fun