SSB vs. CC for SPS tanks

[nwrogers]

How many SPS guys out there are using crushed coral as their substrate? I have seen a few other SPS keepers using CC and I was wondering what you thought of if? How long has your system been running? Are you having problems with nitrates or phosphates? How deep is CC bed? What maintenance do you perform on it? Would you do it all over if you could?

Any X-CC guys, what did you switch to and are you glad you did? Why did you switch? What did you switch to? Would you do it again if given the chance?

The reason I am asking is because I have an SPS tank with 1-1.5” of CC. I am really happy with the look of it so far. Also nitrates and phosphates are 0. I am just trying to plan for down the road. I am not personally interested in going barebottom or having a DSB, I don’t care for the look. I am really just wondering if any one is having success with a shallow bed of CC or an SSB. Are there benefits to a SSB over CC?

 

[Serioussnaps]

bump

 

[nwrogers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7860929#post7860929 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Serioussnaps
bump

Thanks for the bump!

Come on guys/girls lets get some info and ideas flowing here...

Help out your fellow reefer! Please?

 

[PUGroyale]

My first substrate was CC [noob error on my part ] I was also running a SeaClown skimmer :lol2: Anyway... long story short, after appx. one year my NO3 went thru the roof. The CC doesn't have the surface area to perform NNR and basically traps and holds NO3 and PO4... sooner or later it will become saturated and you have a big problem. With your skimmer I'd hope you will fare a little better than I did but long term I don't think you can avoid the inevitable.

I currently run a mid depth SB in the display augmented with a DSB in the refugium and a DSB in a container in the sump. Oh... and a much better skimmer I'm really happy with this setup.

 

[Wiskey]

Could that buildup be prevented with regular syphoning of the CC bed? Because of the fact that it doesn't perform NNR syphoning should not be of any harm to the tank.

Whiskey

 

[PUGroyale]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7863692#post7863692 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wiskey
Could that buildup be prevented with regular syphoning of the CC bed?

I suppose so... at least it would help delay problems. It would sure prove more an more difficult as the corals grow in though...

 

[nwrogers]

Does anyone out there have a shallow sand bed (1” or less)? How do you maintain your sand bed? Do you replace it every year? Do you siphon it? I wouldn’t think it would be any harder to siphon out a CC tank than it a barebottom tank. It’s a pain no matter what you have. Any thoughts on that?

PUGroyale:

Did you ever siphon out your CC?

I try to siphon mine out every so often and last time it was pretty messy. I am wondering what everyone is using these days so I think I am going to start a poll on a new thread. I will try to represent all of the different options I can think of. Thanks for the responses guys. Please cast a vote when you get a chance…

 

[shelburn61]

larger particle size substrates trap more crud. Water flow helps. Tank of the month changes his ssb out biyearly

 

[PUGroyale]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7864214#post7864214 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nwrogers
Did you ever siphon out your CC?

I tried I guess a little but honestly I find it's a royal PITA

Interestingly I'm a year in with my current SB... Recently I had a powerhead come loose and literally moved enough sand to make about half the tank BB :eek2: I figured I'd see the NO3 and/or PO4 go up a little... Zero change... both remained unmeasureable. Bear in mind I have 50x in tank turnover and a G-3 skimmer so not much gets a chance to settle, but I was very happy