Crushed Coral & Live Sand

[ckayb01]

Hey all

got a question for you. I started my tank with fine Crushed Coral and since I have bought a Diamond Goby he has moved a lot of it for his home he keeps building. The question is have any of you mixed live sand with Crushed Coral and does it look good. If so I 'm thinking of getting some Live sand apposed to more Fine Crushed Coral. Pics would be great if anyone has done this.
Thanks

 

[ckayb01]

I would say its in between sugar and pebbles. Its fine enough that my Goby has no problem sifting it though his gills. I know its a Crap trap but I clean my tank every other week, what the goby and nassaruis snails dont get I vaccum. So I guess it would be better just to remove the CC and replace with sand.
Thanks for the responses

 

[ckayb01]

Anyone else? Thanks

 

[elfdoctors]

I have combined CC and Live Sand.
I only have around 2 months of experience with this combination. I listened to people who had been talking up the benefits of a DSB . I have a relatively fine crushed coral somewhat like the description of yours. I pushed off most of this to the sides and added Live Sand from swf.com to the front. Mine has stayed beautiful. The scarlet hermits and cerith snails seem to keep the top layer stirred up. I have been waiting for the CC to slowly rise to the surface but this has not happened yet except for a small zone where the sump return jet hits. My nitrates have been undetectable even though I have not cleaned the CC that is in the tank for 2 months and the combined sand/CC is only 2-3 inches tall (I also have around 125 pounds of live rock). I have an engineer goby in my QT right now and I will see if he stirs things up better. I estimate I have around 35 pounds of CC and 40 of live sand. I may eventually add some more live sand gradually if my nitrates rise.
I may eventually regret combining the two. However, IMO, as long as 1)an anaerobic zone is established and 2)enough sand sifters are used to prevent detritus buildup, then nitrates should be able to break down. So at the risk of being flamed, I will submit this.

 

[ckayb01]

Thanks ElfDoctor for the reply and taking the risk

I was thinking of trying the same thing that you are doing. You would'nt happen to have a picture would you?

 

[elfdoctors]

We just got a digital camera and I am still learning how to use it. I am having problems getting the pictures in focus. I'm finishing up after a night on call at the hospital. I may be able to get something tonight.

 

[dreeves]

The sand sifting through to the problem and any nitrate buildup would be the key concerns...if neither happens...then you should be good to go..as you stated, keeping the gravel vacumed is important.

 

[jsb]

I put LS over CC, but my CC was about a half inch thick (very thin layer. I actually scoop some of it out, but not even half. I 50 lbs of LS over it. It gave me a nice thick bed. BTW I have a 37gal. I have had some CC surface, but it's from the my fish borrowing little tunnels under the LR. I've had the sand for about 3 months. Uufortunately the only pic I have here at work is the first week I added the sand. I'll see if I have a more recent one at home.

 

[elfdoctors]

Here's a full tank shot. You can see that there is algae growth right against the glass which I haven't cleaned off. I hope it is reasonable focused but it is only the 2nd time I am posting a pic.

 

[ckayb01]

Thanks for the pics, your tanks look nice! I do have another question for ya. How much sand and depth do you suggest I put ontop of the CC? I have 30lbs of CC as of now.
ck

 

[elfdoctors]

I'm not sure I can answer that. I am experimenting myself. However, I thought I wanted enough to fill in all of the little pockets around the crushed coral. This would decrease water motion and create the beneficial anaerobic zones which should decrease nitrates. So far, it seems like a 1:1 mix appears okay.
I have a mixture of Figi and Tonga Branch live rock. The Fiji is much more porous. Initially I liked that much more as it seemed to have more life on it. However, I am now wondering whether the Tonga Branch is able to create its own anaerobic zones which may be removing my nitrates. I am happy I don't have a problem but realize that if I did develop one I could 1)remove my current substrate, possibly putting it through a sieve, 2)add more sand (either in the tank or in a refugium) or 3) set up a refugium.
I think that the difference in size of grains on the sand bed is actually more natural in appearance than just all sand.
Your tank - your choice.