Teach me about sand/crushed coral

[bronck83]

I got my tank running & I was thinking of going with a coarser substrate like crushed coral for the display tank so that my Koralia 4's don't blow a storm and then a finer grade in the refugium for a deep sand bed where I'll have the mangroves.

I'm still new & know next to nothing about substrate. What is this argonite stuff I always see? Are there good/bad brands of substrate?

I'm looking to put about a 1-1.5" layer in my 75 gallon & I honestly have no clue how much I'll need for that. I guessed around 80-100lbs but I could be way off.

Anything special I should get for the refugium?

Also, anywhere local that can beat the online prices?(I'd hate wasting $$$ on shipping 100lbs)

[Ping]

Crushed coral can be a big fish poop collector, even with high current. I recommend sugar fine 1/2 to 1 inch in the display and 4 inches or greater for a DSB.

Argonite is what you want for the DSB. As it breaks down, one of the positive things it provides is some trace elements.

[bigdscobra]

I have had crushed coral in my 29g reef for over 3yrs now with out any problems. I would go with a deeper depth though maybe 3-5in deep. The deeper it is the more filteration it will provide. Same goes with sand. In your fuge you want a DEEP sand bed, I would not waste the time or money with mangroves they really dont do much you are better off for the price and longivity of going with Cheto. Also with the thicker supstrate like crush coral you want to make sure you rinse the coral off a few times to get any of the dust off before you put in your tank other wise it will be cloudy for a few days.

Good Luck

[subsailor]

Have a look at this http://wetwebmedia.com/reefsubstrates.htm

and this
http://wetwebmedia.com/marsubstr.htm

and this
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/deepsandbeds.htm

and this
http://wetwebmedia.com/refugium.htm

[Ping]

Crushed coral would have to be very deep to provide filtration, possibly several feet deep.

Anaerobic conditions obtained from a substrate (Filtration and low nitrates) are about 4 inches for sugar fine sand and the larger the substrate, the greater the depth needed to obtain an anaerobic condition.

[Ping]

Subsailor, excellent link. When I get a chance I will read it closely.

[bronck83]

My refugium section in my sump is 10 gallons(10"x18" footprint, 12" depth). My overall water volume between tank/sump is approx. 100 gallons. Would 5"-6" of sand depth in the refugium not provide enough filtration if I only had 1 inch or less of sand up top?

I really don't like a deep sand bed in the display, it looks like crap along the glass after awhile plus I'm worried that 2 Korailia 4's in a 75 gallon will blow crap everywhere.

What if I were to use 1" of sugar fine in the display & 5"-6" of it down in the refugium?

[subsailor]

Regardelss of the depth in the display if it going to blow it around it will blow it around. IMO 1" would be fine in the display and have 6" in the refuguim. It is all about what you want and what works for you and looks good for you.

[Jamie]

I order all heavy itms from Drsfosterandsmith...I hate to plug non-sponsors....but this is a really $$$ saver. They only charge for shipping based on price, NOT weight. I.E. when I order my salt, which is 50lbs, they charge around $8, because that is the shipping for that price range. I ordered 150lbs of sand through them with the same scenario.

[ErikH]

I have over 3600 gph that I can run all day in my 75 with 120 lbs in the display and I have NO problems with sand being blown around. Once it gets settled, it's fine, just don't point your powerheads straight down at the sand.. The problem with ONLY having crushed coral is that it creates tons of tiny pockets that detritus can build up in which will then cause a gradual, persistent rise in your levels. I used a bunch of CC then poured sugar fine sand over it. The CC is no longer visible, and my only guess is that it broke down for CA.

[bronck83]

Ok, I think I'm gonna do an inch in the display & 5-6" in the refugium....is there some kind of calculator program on the net to figure out how many pounds that translates to?

[subsailor]

Yeah Yeah i know a cichlid site but it has the calculators.

http://cichlidforum.com/articles/calculator.php

[bronck83]

Cool, seems I need around 100 lbs.

[drgnbttrfly]

1" really? hope you don't have any sifters or wrasses...

[bronck83]

1" really? hope you don't have any sifters or wrasses...

All I have is salt & water right now. :cry_smile:

[drgnbttrfly]

all comes in time...patience