Sand or CC

Hi guys I'm new to the site and full of questions but I'll start off with whats most important to me right now. I have a 30 gallon what I guess you'd call reef tank (fish and live rock) and I'm currently using about 10lbs of crushed coral.

I am not really happy with the crushed coral as it seems to always put off alot of for lack of better words "crap" into the water whenever I stir it up and I've considered switching to sand. What are the pro's and con's of both and what do you think is better?

 

Welcome!

Especially for a reef tank, araogonite or oolite sand will provide more surface area for denitrifying bacteria. This allows for greater capcity to handle your bioload when compared to CC.

 

How about barebottom.

 

Oh god don't start Reefman_MC J/K

 

What's the matter Jason you don't like barebottom tanks? I had so many algae problems with my DSB that are finally going away now. I did a starboard reef. I'm not sure if you've ever heard of it, but it was started by bomber on reefcentral. Starboard plastic sheeting on the bottom has the same affect as a glass barebottom. The major upside to it is that it stops falling rock from cracking glass and reflects light back instead of soaking it all up. It also is white and resembles sand. One of the main things I hate about sand is it all blows away in my tank regardless of what I do(I'm a big believer in super high flow). Larry, any of the three: sand, barebottom, or CC will work it's just according to which you like. There are people out there who have been successful with each one.

 

[quote author=reefman_MC link=board=Sand;num=1092892640;start=0#4 date=08/21/04 at 18:09:36]... any of the three: sand, barebottom, or CC will work it's just according to which you like. There are people out there who have been successful with each one. [/quote]

Amen to that. In addition, they all have their quirks and you have to properly maintain them all. Mojo has one of the coolest barebottom tanks goin'

 

I'm also new here and am in the process of setting up a new 75 gal and thinking of going with sand only. I though CC was used to help with buffering and PH stability. Your advice and comments please.

 

Aragonite sand is mostly calcium bicarbonate and will bre fine for buffering.

 

Thanks. I'm assuming the sand bed will work with a FOWLR as well as a reef tank. Do I still need to add critters that I have read about. I will be seeding bed from my current setup

Thanks

 

FWIW, I finally found sand at Home Depot. Everyone used to use Southdown...then no one could get it anymore.....

Home Depot now carries "Oldcastle Stone Tropical Play Sand" which is sterilized Carribean beach sand for $4.99 per 50 pound bag. Everyone in the local fish club uses it. It is aragonite. WATCH OUT tho, they carry more that one brand of play sand so make sure to read the bag. I actually had to go to 3 different Home Depots before I found a store that had it in stock....some only carry it seasonally. ;D