Changing crushed coral!

How difficult is it to remove and then add a nice fine substrate? any recommendations on the safest way to do this? are there any donwsides to changing ur gravel does the tank have to cycle again?

 

Well I would think that if its OK to vacuum threw a third of your substrate each water change then if you exchanged about a eighth every week till done you shouldn't see any parm changes just test the next day. Just my thoughts

 

Yes just do not try to do too much at one time (do not remove or disturb the entire bed). Check for ammonia and nitrites more often and have SW available for a WC if need be.

 

or should i just leave it alone?

 

It would be good to remove it, as CC isn't really the best substrate for most SW tanks. Just do it in sections, and take your time.

 

black sand any different (besides color) then regular?

 

Black sand does not have an aragonite base. It is not composed of calcium carbonate. Some hobbyist believe that the aragonite allows or provides some buffering. I have heard two schools of thought on weather it actually can provide any type of buffering based on the variables of NSW. Some say it does not have buffering capability some say yes.

 

interesting....i just thought it would look insane with the led moonlights but i think i'll start the change gradually next week taking some CC out every water change. I'm leaning toward traditional white or maybe pink!

 

Black also get dirty very easy. It's kind of like a black car, dirt shows up very quickly.