sand or crushed coral

[lennyco]

i have a 58 gallon reef ready, but need to go bigger coral are outgrowing it
im thinking a 90 gallon here is my question sand or crushed coral for bottom
will be doing soft coral and fish thank you John

 

[pillowfish]

I think it's more of personal opinion...or what type of fish you decide to keep. Personally I used a mixture of crushed arogonite and sugar-sized sand. I like the fine sand look, but know in the future I would love to have a jaw fish and a coarser grain coral is a more suitable substrate for this type of fish. IMO..anyway!

 

[Sean Irwin]

Go with sand, crushed coral is unfriendly to sand bed microfauna, has minimal surface area for bacterial colonization, and tends to trap detritus unless you have very vigorous water motion. Crushed coral also has limited buffering capability owing to its larger size. I tend to prefer very small (oolithic, sugar sized grains) but different sizes are best for deep vs. shallow sand beds.

 

[lennyco]

i have crushed coral in my 58 i might go with sand in my next tank

 

[Jennifer]

Sand for sure. I have done both, way too many problems long term with crushed coral.

 

[Joedes3]

Sand in my 55g and my nano

 

[ReeferMedic]

Crushed coral is also very abrasive to certain fish that bury themselves in it, like certain kinds of wrasse. Not sure what kinds of fish you'll be keeping, just a thought.

 

[lennyco]

thank you i think im going with sand

 

[RayD]

Good choice.

 

[SteveDola]

people still use CC in reef tanks?

 

[Jackapatt]

Definitely sand!