Question for you people?

b-diddles

b-diddles

Member
I am new to this exciting world of Marine fish. I am close to 3 months into it. My bedding is regular gravel. My test show great results. Stil yet, I would like to switch over to Crushed coral for PH benefits. My question is this: Since my tank is now established with SOME of the beneficial bacteria that I need, will switching my gravel result in starting the process over? Thank you for your help.
 
wfd1008

wfd1008

Member
each have pros and cons, but it really depends on you and the look you want in your tank. if you switch over, then the ugf will have to go and make sure you make the sand bed deep enough. how big is your tank? ls is not cheap, so be ready to pay some pesos if it's a large tank, but again, your choice. if it was me, then ya, why not? if you don't like it, then take the ls out and put the cc back in.
 
b-diddles

b-diddles

Member
I have a 55g tank. I am pretty happy with the size for starting out. My goal is for my next house to get a bigger one as a preditor tank and have both.
 
wfd1008

wfd1008

Member
alright then. JMO, but i would wait until you move to do it if the date isn't to far away, and see what you think of ls in your 55. if you like it, then do the lager tank. pm sent. can't pm you, why?
 
dfabrikant

dfabrikant

Member
I think the crushed coral will be more beneficial as well as more natural, i have a mix of live sand and crushed coral...If you do it I would slowly transition, do it in sections, when you do a water change, use larger tubing and suck up some gravel with the water then add coral to each section as you do it, you should be fine
 
b-diddles

b-diddles

Member
My computer is capable of PM, but I do not know how to. I never have thought about that part yet. What do I do?
 
bgbdwlf2500

bgbdwlf2500

Member
Originally Posted by B-DIDDLES
http:///forum/post/2693578
My computer is capable of PM, but I do not know how to. I never have thought about that part yet. What do I do?
its either post count or 2 weeks a member i cant remember
if your params are stable and youre sure they are then i would leave it. if you like the look of other substrate then you do have to SLOWLY make the transition if you have animals that the nitrogen cycle will kill. if not just switch it all over and it will have to cycle again
 
t316

t316

Active Member
I'm not sure what size "gravel" you have, but it doesn't sound good for a salt water tank. I would switch over to a cc, araganite, or sand bed, especially if you ever plan on keeping any gobies or nasarious snails. If you already have too much invested that you can't start from scratch, then slowly start removing the 'gravel' a little at the time and replacing with a finer substrate.
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
What would you like to do? If you want a natural tank then go with sand. Sand buffers the water, if it is live or aragonite, which is very easy to come by and pretty cheap (aragonite). Live can just be added as a top layer, or not at all. There are a lot of benefits to sand. You can have sand sifting fish and inverts. That isn't as easy with crushed coral. Some people do have crushed coral, and like it. It is higher in maintenance. You have to thoroughly vacuumed it often. Detritus (fish waste), debris, and food, gets trapped in the crevices.
Do you have live rock in the tank? That makes a difference for biological filtration, and how you should remove the gravel.
 
t316

t316

Active Member
Originally Posted by sepulatian
http:///forum/post/2693614
What would you like to do? If you want a natural tank then go with sand. Sand buffers the water, if it is live or aragonite, which is very easy to come by and pretty cheap (aragonite). Live can just be added as a top layer, or not at all. There are a lot of benefits to sand. You can have sand sifting fish and inverts. That isn't as easy with crushed coral. Some people do have crushed coral, and like it. It is higher in maintenance. You have to thoroughly vacuumed it often. Detritus (fish waste), debris, and food, gets trapped in the crevices.
Do you have live rock in the tank? That makes a difference for biological filtration, and how you should remove the gravel.
Yes....that's what I meant to say.....
 
b-diddles

b-diddles

Member
Yes, I do have SOME live rock. I have about 15 pounds of some real good stuff. I wanted to do something with the gravel before I got going on the stocking of live rock. It cost a pretty penny for a pretty rock. Right? I was thinking about sand on top of CC. Would that work with a Under gravel filter? Would cleaning be easier with a sand layer?
 
bgbdwlf2500

bgbdwlf2500

Member
Originally Posted by B-DIDDLES
http:///forum/post/2693620
Yes, I do have SOME live rock. I have about 15 pounds of some real good stuff. I wanted to do something with the gravel before I got going on the stocking of live rock. It cost a pretty penny for a pretty rock. Right? I was thinking about sand on top of CC. Would that work with a Under gravel filter? Would cleaning be easier with a sand layer?
i use CC (i am a somewhat newbie) and you can vacuum it. i think the general consensus on here is that you do NOT vacuum sand... the Clean up crew does it for you.... if im wrong someone chime in
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
Originally Posted by B-DIDDLES
http:///forum/post/2693620
Yes, I do have SOME live rock. I have about 15 pounds of some real good stuff. I wanted to do something with the gravel before I got going on the stocking of live rock. It cost a pretty penny for a pretty rock. Right? I was thinking about sand on top of CC. Would that work with a Under gravel filter? Would cleaning be easier with a sand layer?
Under gravel filters are about obsolete in this hobby. If you just bought it then clean it up and take it back. They trap everything to it, then that all becomes nitrate. CC and sand isn't such a great idea. Any sand sifters cannot get through the CC. Your best bet is to go with sand, unless you really like the CC. Sand is easier to care for, and you can buy inverts to clean it for you.
Do you have any fish yet? If not then just pull the gravel out, and add the new substrate. Put the rock into a tub of saltwater while you do it. There is much more biological filtration in that rock then all of your gravel. Gravel is not porous.
 
b-diddles

b-diddles

Member
Originally Posted by sepulatian
http:///forum/post/2693638
Under gravel filters are about obsolete in this hobby. If you just bought it then clean it up and take it back. They trap everything to it, then that all becomes nitrate. CC and sand isn't such a great idea. Any sand sifters cannot get through the CC. Your best bet is to go with sand, unless you really like the CC. Sand is easier to care for, and you can buy inverts to clean it for you.
Do you have any fish yet? If not then just pull the gravel out, and add the new substrate. Put the rock into a tub of saltwater while you do it. There is much more biological filtration in that rock then all of your gravel. Gravel is not porous.
I have a Tomato clown and a yellowtail damsel. I have read up a little on UGV and the only two things that I have found bad is that they absorb oxygen and that they do not work with a sand bed. I just heard that the CC is the best for maintaining a High PH. I thought that fish like a higher PH. I can take my equipment out, but I am not too worried about sand sifters and such. I do have a HUGE snail. I forgot what kind he is. I plan on getting more snails, shrimp, crabs and a yellow tang. Eventually I want a green spotted dragonette, but I hear it is good to wait AT LEAST a year. I would also like to put my tang in after I get a lot more live rock. I am not too worried about my inverts except for my big snail. I think that they will do alright as long as I have calcium, good water and changes monthly.
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
You are not too worried about inverts now. You will be when you get the various algae that grows in a salt tank. Please do more research and find out what you want to do. Sand is great, CC works out well if you vacuum it VERY regularly. Do a search on here for under gravel filters, or UG filters, and one for CC vs. sand bed, or even just crushed coral. You will find many posts about this. Figure out what you want. As for your fish, you can pick up a used tank, put the rocks into that. The fish will be fine in there while you switch things out. You will need heater and a power head in the tank. Keep it running after, with a HOB filter, that can be your QT. You will want one of those as well.
Dwight, what if I wanted to head out?
 
b-diddles

b-diddles

Member
I do apreciate your advice. I will do some research on the UGV vs. sand. I have heard from many that it is the way to go. I like your idea of the used aquarium. Good idea. I will check other responses tomorrow. I have worked my butt off this week and I am beat. I just joined tonigh and I think I will enjoy posting here often. I hope you guys don't get tired of me, 'cause I got many questions. I do try to read and find out for myself. Sometimes you just can't find the info you want out of a book though. Hey-Good night, and God Bless guys! Take care!!
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
Here is a search on crushed coral.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/newsearch/?search=&type=all
The results are in the link. To do a search, scroll up to the top. There is a toolbar there, that says User CP, Blogs, FAQ, Member list, etc. One is search.
Make an informed decision on what you want to do. You have plenty of time. Don't rush at all. Let us know what you decide. We will help you do it. We do not get tired of anyone. Ask us any and all questions that you may have. If you have more in the future, then ask away. That is that we are here for

BTW, Welcome to the boards!!!!
 
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