Advice on Substrate

[Saltwater_Dog]

Is Florida Crushed Coral a good substrate for a reef/fish aquarium?

 

[Scuba_Steve]

Crushed coral has good buffering capabilities and is an ok substrate. Argonite sand is a much better choice though. It will provide the same buffering capabilities and give your fish a nice safe place to play. Crushed coral is more jagged and also allows detritus to build up more readily.

 

[drummereef]

Don't do crushed coral, imo. It traps detritus and leads to nitrate problems. You would be much better off with a fine aragonite sand. Caribsea makes good products.

 

[miztahphong2]

im using crushed coral right now currently in my 100 gallon. i hear good things and bad things every where i go although the only con i can find so far is that it doesnt look as nice as if i were to use fine sand or aragonite

 

[King Nine]

I'm using CC. I like the way it looks. Actually, you won't be looking at the substrate anyway. Once you get all the live rock, fish and corals who looks at the substrate. I'd even be willing to bet that no one comes to your house and says "wow, great substrate":lol2:

Seriously though, I went back and forth over it. I lot of people on another forum just about jumped me for asking the same question and acted as if sand didn't have any problems in and of itself. There truly is not right answer as I'm sure you will find out listening to everyone one. This is probably the most opinionated subject in this hobby I've come across yet. When all the dust settles (from the sand) just remember my joke up above and enjoy which ever you chose.