Sand or CC

[ky]

How many use CC and how many use sand. Also, why for each and your results.

 

[kris walker]

CC, because I didn't know better at the time, and now have 0 ammon/trite/trate. I do not have a huge bioload though (no fish, several corals).
EDIT: 29 gal tank, 2 inch of CC actually, 45 lbs LR, skimmer, macroalgae in main tank, and I do not vaccuum substrate due to lots of live stuff in it.
sam

 

[volitan]

I have a 1 inch cc bed. Like Sam said, I didn't know any better at the time when I set the tank up. I've never had any problems with it, but if I had it to do over again, I would go with a DSB just because I've heard so many grat things about them in these posts.

 

[tellico tornado]

DSB here, actually I use a plenum system with no other filtration except a hang on back filter and a powerhead. Water quality is excellent and my tank completely cycled in less than 3 weeks.

 

[jim672]

Ky,
I started my 45 gal with CC and it after it cycled, with only two fish I had an algea bloom of monumental proportions. (Water looked like lime jello!!) After numerous water changes were ineffective, my lfs suggested I remove the CC and replace with anything non-absorbant. I used LS I bought on-line (and a good phosphate sponge) and my water has been extremely clear....and my corals are are doing well, too.

 

[fshhub]

have used both, because when we set up our first tank, we didn't know any better, then we switched, and were happy, and hten our new tank, we started with a dsb, and willnot consider going back, we have had better water, less work and it is a better filter by itself, than cc with a ugf, our next tank will definitely also have a dsb(unless something better comes along, which i really doubt, because mother nature has been using a dsb for milleniums now an d i don't see her changing her mind either)

 

[y2says]

I have both, but I think a DSB looks better and is easier to take care of. You don't have to siphon (spelling?) the DSB. I have cc in my FO and DSB in my reef. I think if you have a small bio-load, cc would be fine.

 

[chrismilano]

Is there anyone that stayed with cc and still had problems?
I know sand keeps the nitrites lower and so on, but the real question is, does cc cut it with FO and less than 50 lbs of live rock.

 

[kris walker]

People who stay with CC or CS (crushed shells) who have large bioloads must do water changes to dispose of nitrates (unless they have a sump with macroalgae). You might get more of a response to this particular question over in the Fish Discussion, as most reef tanks do not have a large bioload.
just my 0.02,
sam

 

[josh]

Hi, well here my .02 on this again. I too have a cc bed. If you decide to go with cc just make sure it is a shallow bed, maybe inch and half and max. That seems to be the key for keeping a good cc bed. I thought about switching, but then decided it wasn't worth the time or extra money. Also, putting atleast a 4" bed in would not work b/c I too have a 29 gallon tank. There is data for and again DSBs, just do you research and you will be happy with whatever you decide. I will mention this, if you are going the DSB route make sure you set it up properly, that includes proper depth, activators so you don't have to wait forever for it to be live and a detrivours kit.
Josh

 

[josh]

Hi, well here my .02 on this again. I too have a cc bed. If you decide to go with cc just make sure it is a shallow bed, maybe inch and half and max. That seems to be the key for keeping a good cc bed. I thought about switching, but then decided it wasn't worth the time or extra money. Also, putting atleast a 4" bed in would not work b/c I too have a 29 gallon tank. There is data for and against DSBs, just do you research and you will be happy with whatever you decide. I will mention this, if you are going the DSB route make sure you set it up properly, that includes proper depth, activators so you don't have to wait forever for it to be live and a detrivours kit.
Josh