Mixing substrates?

[patedship]

Is it a good idea to mix subrates? In my new tank i have 92lbs on South Down sand from an established tank and was wondering if it would be a good idea to add 20lbs on Florida Crushed Coral from my other tank? What are the pros and cons if any?

 

[civicss1]

there is no problem that i see....if you like that look then go for it...i try to stick with one kind of substrate looks better....

 

[AdidaKev]

Hmm, not sure there are pros or cons either way. I wouldn't see a problem with it.

 

[shoddyk]

It will be fine. I have 3 different types of substrate's in my 125 gallon and it is working out great.

 

[NDreefer1]

It wont be a problem. Over time the larger pieces will tend to slowly "float" their way to the top, as smaller grains fall into gaps but its no big deal. Some gobies and shrimp really prefer a few big chunks in the sand to reinforce their tunnels.

 

[mg426]

Go for it.

 

[jer77]

Different sized substrates encourage different kinds of lifeforms in your sandbed. Usually the larger the grain the larger the lifeforms. When I say lifeforms I mean copepods, amphipods and such. You can even have different layers of grain size. It is suspected that the smaller the grain size the less sand it takes to colonize denitrifing bacteria too.