Crushed coral and sand mix?

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by radgto, Jan 11, 2011.

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  1. radgto

    radgto Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2011
    Messages:
    32
    Location:
    Royal Oak, Michigan
    Hi there, I'm currently setting up my new 110 gallon tank, it came with about 1.25 inches of crushed coral already in it... I was wondering if I deepened it to about 3 inches by adding sand if it would be okay... I'd prefer to not just toss out all that brand new substrate.

    Oh, the tank will be fish and live rock and slowly converted to reef only over time.

    Thanks for any advice.
     
    radgto, Jan 11, 2011
    radgto, Jan 11, 2011
    #1

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  2. telstar

    telstar Fire Worm

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2008
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    151
    Location:
    Coral Springs, Fl.

    Get rid of the crushed coral, it will only cause you problems down the road.
    Crushed coral tends to collect debris and you will end up taking it out anyway so it is better to take it out now.
     
    telstar, Jan 11, 2011
    telstar, Jan 11, 2011
    #2
  3. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Bend,Oregon - USA
    If you cap it with sand it will eventually settle below the crushed coral leaving crushed coral substrate basically. You're best off tossing it and buying sand IMO.
     
    missionsix, Jan 11, 2011
    missionsix, Jan 11, 2011
    #3
  4. telstar

    telstar Fire Worm

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2008
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    Location:
    Coral Springs, Fl.
    btw welcome to 3reef.
     
    telstar, Jan 11, 2011
    telstar, Jan 11, 2011
    #4
  5. radgto

    radgto Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2011
    Messages:
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    Location:
    Royal Oak, Michigan
    Thanks for the advice guys.. I'll do the right thing and toss the CC now.
     
    radgto, Jan 11, 2011
    radgto, Jan 11, 2011
    #5
  6. radgto

    radgto Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2011
    Messages:
    32
    Location:
    Royal Oak, Michigan
    Well, I ended up taking the advice offered here and ditching the crushed coral.. I went with black aragonite instead because I thought it looked pretty cool.

    Here's a pic of my still being set up tank after the substrate change and after adding 80lbs of base and 50lbs of lace.

    [​IMG]

    Thanks for helping a newbie like me out.
     
    radgto, Jan 15, 2011
    radgto, Jan 15, 2011
    #6

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  7. Seano Hermano

    Seano Hermano Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2010
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    10,056
    Location:
    Northwest Ohio
    Congrats on the tank. I like it.
     
    Seano Hermano, Jan 15, 2011
    Seano Hermano, Jan 15, 2011
    #7
  8. ComputerJohn

    ComputerJohn Panda Puffer

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2009
    Messages:
    2,123
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Just as others have stated, get rid of the crushed coral. One the sand will settle beneath it & two you will have problems with your water using crushed coral. Think of it as a TOXIC bed for your tank...

    BTW, welcome to 3reef..
     
    ComputerJohn, Jan 16, 2011
    ComputerJohn, Jan 16, 2011
    #8
  9. ComputerJohn

    ComputerJohn Panda Puffer

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2009
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    2,123
    Location:
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    Looks nice in black. Question, is the date stamp off on the camera or did you take the pic in Nov???

     
    ComputerJohn, Jan 16, 2011
    ComputerJohn, Jan 16, 2011
    #9
  10. radgto

    radgto Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2011
    Messages:
    32
    Location:
    Royal Oak, Michigan
    Date is off, I've been meaning to correct it but never bothered.

    Thanks for the welcome guys!
     
    radgto, Jan 16, 2011
    radgto, Jan 16, 2011
    #10
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