substrate

[leaffish75]

Can i use crushed oyster shell instead of crushed coral? I want to put down a layer (one inch) of crushed oyster shell then 3-4inches of southdown.

[jaded]

crushed oyster is used to alter ph levels in soil... I have no idea what that would do to a tank, but I'd do a alot of research before attempting!!!

[jaded]

P.S. I have about 4 bags of crushed coral I'd be happy to trade for something. I don't think I'm going to use it

[GaryP]

The problem with crushed oyster shell or crushed coral is that its to large for burrowing critters like sand sifters to dig through.

You'd be better off using something like aragonite special grade that is 1-2 mm.

[leaffish75]

well it will be at the bottom with about 4inchs of LS on top. Not many critters dig all the way to the bottom right?

[scuba_steveo]

The finner sand will work its way to the bottom ant the larger crushed shell to the top.

[Instar]

The finner sand will work its way to the bottom ant the larger crushed shell to the top.

Thats correct and the two will eventually be mixed or settled into each other. The good news though is that you can use crushed oyster shells as a substrate. Its dirt cheap as a filler/substrate and works just fine for long term. Thats all I used to use and the only reason I didn't use it this time is that I didn't know where to get it around here. It used to cost 80 cents for a 50 pound bag and is used in chicken feeders. Since I live in cattle country, there just wasn't any here. If you can tell me where to get big bags of crushed oyster shells, I would appreciate it. If used as the only substrate, it tends to settle some and pack real hard so its difficult for diggers to dig it up and make a mess. And as Gary says, sand sifters wont do well in it. It will grow pods and bristle worms like craxy though.
Make sure to lok through it and wash it well so you get all the trash out of it, but, this is true of any substrate.

[leaffish75]

i get mine from any local feed store. the problem is that normally they only have 2 or 3 bags a month.

[jaded]

theres a feed store out 281 that carry large sizes, or at least they did... they have a strange name like dibbs or doowy's or something like that. I'm sure they are int he phone book

north or 281 about 5 mile outside 1604 on the left hand side.