substrate question

[fishfan09]

I have always used crushed coral with alittle live sand mixed in... With this next set up I was wanting to do all sand. I wondering if sugar fine would be a bad idea? I was wanting to put just sugar fine sand in, or should mix some crushed coral in it, or not use it at all? BTW I was given 60lbs of sugar fine live sand for free that is on reason I want to use it plus I like the look. If I use it how deep of bed for that fine of sand?

 

[MarineFishGuy]

My first tank was crushed coral which led to high nitrates and issues keeping it clean.

In the 75 I went with a lot of Sugar sand and found it kicked up very easy on moderate flow.

On the 210 I used more Reef Sand to try and keep the sugar sand in place somewhat successfully.
The Reef Sand does not move much, but I still get piles of the sugar sand drifting about as I adjust power heads.

If I had it to do all over again I would stick with just Reef Sand.

Of course this depends on the animals you want to keep too.
Some sand sifting gobies and invertebrates will do better in the sugar sand.

Carib Sea has a nice chart on their website to help you decide which sand is right for a given application:
http://www.caribsea.com/pages/products/dry_aragonite.html