crushed corals

[Daniel.luu]

Hi,

I've seen many people putting crushed corals at the bottom of the tank and add LS on top.

Is this a must do to build out new tanks? What's the benefit of doing this?

ANy help is appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[Sk8r]

Bad idea. They're doing it, imho, because they got talked into cc and want to get rid of it, but can't do that easily, so add sand atop. Cc accumulates stuff that makes nitrates rise. Bad stuff.
Live sand is not a great idea either, imho: dry sand with live rock is perfectly fine. Do wash it first. And personally, I recommend medium grade if you're going to have a high flow tank.

 

[fatdaddy]

I bought a tank from a guy that did that. I ended up with crushed coral mixed into the sand. I eventually just used a colander to sift all the crushed coral out of the sand. I ended up with two buckets full of crushed coral that I didn't know what to do with.

Would I put a substrate of crushed coral in? No & hell no.

 

[Daniel.luu]

I'm so glad i posed the question. I almost went and bought the CC thinking it was a good idea.


Thanks,

 

[EvMiBo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13192353#post13192353 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sk8r
Live sand is not a great idea either, imho

Can I ask why?

Thanks

 

[an411]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13192669#post13192669 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EvMiBo
Can I ask why?

Thanks [/QUOTE


There is nothing wrong with live sand except for the fact that its alot more expensive then dry sand that will become live over time. So save the money and get more livestock. All you need is a cup of live sand from someone elses tank and you will be golden

 

[heller792]

I was talked into CC by my LFS after I went in for some sand. It lasted 1 week before I took it out, you will be surprised just how much cr ap it holds.

 

[EvMiBo]

Thanks an411 - How does one go about rinsing/cleaning out the dry sand before introducting it to their tank?

 

[indydog1]

rinse with ro water

 

[crvz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13192903#post13192903 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EvMiBo
Thanks an411 - How does one go about rinsing/cleaning out the dry sand before introducting it to their tank?

I don't even bother rinsing sand with RO water, I usually use buckets and a hose. As long as you get most of the water out, you shouldnt have any trouble. It can take a lot of water to rinse out sand until it runs clear.

 

[EvMiBo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13193626#post13193626 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crvz
I don't even bother rinsing sand with RO water, I usually use buckets and a hose. As long as you get most of the water out, you shouldnt have any trouble. It can take a lot of water to rinse out sand until it runs clear.

Do you only do this to dry sand though? I've heard rinsing "Live" sand with tap water can kill the live things in it (haven't experienced for myself)..?

My ultimate plan for my 55g is to just get 10-20 lbs of the "Ocean direct" wet sand (I don't think I have to rinse it...?) and then rinse 40 or so lbs of Oolite (dry) with RO water (I don't really trust my tap water still). Or should I rinse the ocean direct wet stuff as well? Sorry for the continuation on this subject.

And sry for the thread hack daniel!

 

[fatdaddy]

I thought rinsing the sand will also rinse out the small sand fines. Some critters like these and won't do well without them.

Although, I've rinsed sand myself when moving a tank to get all the detritus out. But, I usually add back in a few bags of extra fine sand.

If you're really concerned about your tap water then just do the final rinse with with RO water. I've only used tap mater myself.

 

[alpine36]

Damn, i'm using cc.

what and where can I get dry sand?

What could I use to remove the cc after the sand is in place?

 

[fatdaddy]

LFS, ebay, marineandreef.com, etc. Some offer free shipping over a certain amount so I throw in a bucket of salt or bag of sand on my larger orders.