Crushed Coral to Sand Substrate

HarveyO · 02/08/2018, 09:10 AM

I am new to Saltwater and just started a 29G Reef Tank, It is currently cycling. In the beginning, I took a visit to my LFS, one of the workers talked me into getting crushed coral as a substrate. Well after a lot of research, I see the majority of people are against that. I jumped the gun and now I have CC when I want Sand. Would really appreciate your opinions.

Can I change out my substrate without completely starting over/messing up my tanks cycle? If so, how can I accomplish this?

crawlerman · 02/08/2018, 09:26 AM

Just remove it and add the sand. Most of the bacteria is on the rocks. It should not effect the cycle much if at all. Better now than when you have the aquarium stocked.

JohnZena · 02/08/2018, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarveyO

I am new to Saltwater and just started a 29G Reef Tank, It is currently cycling. In the beginning, I took a visit to my LFS, one of the workers talked me into getting crushed coral as a substrate. Well after a lot of research, I see the majority of people are against that. I jumped the gun and now I have CC when I want Sand. Would really appreciate your opinions.

Can I change out my substrate without completely starting over/messing up my tanks cycle? If so, how can I accomplish this?

I am currently putting a one inch layer of crushed over my new sandbed. To get the proper flow I kick up sand and cant keep the tank crystal clear. I have been told by several successful reefers that it will be fine. IMHO....leave it be.

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mcgyvr · 02/08/2018, 09:51 AM

If you want to do it now is the time as you are cycling..
Don't worry about messing up your cycle.. It may just prolong it some (if at all) but its not going to be harmful..

Just scoop it all out and add new dry sand (expect a cloudy mess for days after) and make sure you really rinse the sand well to help reduce the cloudiness)

In general there are some very good/valid reasons that sand is better than crushed coral and really not one single valid reason (other than just a cosmetic choice) that crushed coral is better than sand.

HarveyO · 02/08/2018, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

If you want to do it now is the time as you are cycling..
Don't worry about messing up your cycle.. It may just prolong it some (if at all) but its not going to be harmful..

Just scoop it all out and add new dry sand (expect a cloudy mess for days after) and make sure you really rinse the sand well to help reduce the cloudiness)

In general there are some very good/valid reasons that sand is better than crushed coral and really not one single valid reason (other than just a cosmetic choice) that crushed coral is better than sand.

Why do you say dry sand over live sand?

mcgyvr · 02/08/2018, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarveyO

Why do you say dry sand over live sand?

In general dry sand will have less "dead/decaying" organic material in it.
and for the most part how "live" can something be that sat in a warehouse for months on end.. I personally have found live sand to cause more troubles than its worth just because there is so much "dead" in it and very little if any "live"..

tkeracer619 · 02/08/2018, 11:56 AM

Dry sand is the way to go. All sand will create a sandstorm unless it is true live sand. So the stuff you get that is wet is just that, wet.

Remove the crushed coral.

Add sand to your tank through a large diameter pvc pipe. Put the pipe on the bottom, pour the sand in, and let the sand out by lifting the pipe 1/4 to 1/2 inch off the bottom. Once you get done spreading the sand all over in this manner leave the pipe! Do not lift it!! This will keep a ton of the fine particles out of the water column. After a few days slowly remove the pipe.

Adding a bacteria product can help.

HarveyO · 02/08/2018, 01:39 PM

Awesome thanks for the feedback

blowmecius · 02/08/2018, 03:05 PM

02/08/2018, 09:10 AM	#1
HarveyO Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 49	Crushed Coral to Sand Substrate I am new to Saltwater and just started a 29G Reef Tank, It is currently cycling. In the beginning, I took a visit to my LFS, one of the workers talked me into getting crushed coral as a substrate. Well after a lot of research, I see the majority of people are against that. I jumped the gun and now I have CC when I want Sand. Would really appreciate your opinions. Can I change out my substrate without completely starting over/messing up my tanks cycle? If so, how can I accomplish this?

02/08/2018, 09:51 AM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	If you want to do it now is the time as you are cycling.. Don't worry about messing up your cycle.. It may just prolong it some (if at all) but its not going to be harmful.. Just scoop it all out and add new dry sand (expect a cloudy mess for days after) and make sure you really rinse the sand well to help reduce the cloudiness) In general there are some very good/valid reasons that sand is better than crushed coral and really not one single valid reason (other than just a cosmetic choice) that crushed coral is better than sand. __________________ Who me?

02/08/2018, 11:56 AM	#7
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Dry sand is the way to go. All sand will create a sandstorm unless it is true live sand. So the stuff you get that is wet is just that, wet. Remove the crushed coral. Add sand to your tank through a large diameter pvc pipe. Put the pipe on the bottom, pour the sand in, and let the sand out by lifting the pipe 1/4 to 1/2 inch off the bottom. Once you get done spreading the sand all over in this manner leave the pipe! Do not lift it!! This will keep a ton of the fine particles out of the water column. After a few days slowly remove the pipe. Adding a bacteria product can help. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

02/08/2018, 03:05 PM	#9
blowmecius Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Maryand Posts: 177	__________________ Homer no function beer well without.

02/08/2018, 09:26 AM	#2
crawlerman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 503	Just remove it and add the sand. Most of the bacteria is on the rocks. It should not effect the cycle much if at all. Better now than when you have the aquarium stocked.

02/08/2018, 01:39 PM	#8
HarveyO Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 49	Awesome thanks for the feedback