Substrate - Sand or Crushed coral

[highland135]

I am new to saltwater and am in the process of setting up a 35 gal tank. After doing several weeks of reading I went to the LFS for substrate. I was looking for sand but they only had one small bag. I was told crushed coral was also an acceptable alternative so I bought 40 lbs. Today I was in another LFS and was told by one of the associates that if I used the crushed coral I would have a hard time controling Nitrates.

I have the tank about 3/4 filled with water and have the salinity at 1.023 and temp at 78 degrees. I am now considering draining as much of the water as I can save and removing the crushed coral and replacing it with sand so I can start cycling the tank.

I was looking for some advice on if the crushed coral would be okay or should I replace it before I get started off on the wrong foot? Any help is appreciated. I guess I should have mentioned I am looking to start with a FOWLR tank. Mac

 

[NCreefwannabe]

its all opipnion. My cousin has had his CC for 6 years and never had any issues. A good way to jump start the tank with the CC is to get a few scoops from your local fish store. They should be able to help you with that.

 

[highland135]

Thanks for the help. I do have a 30 lb bag of sand that I thought if nothing else I would add over the top of the CC. I also found someone local who has offered to give me a couple of scoops of sand from his tank to help get things started.

 

[PatMayo]

I have a CC substrate as well in my 46. I have zero nitrates. I use a Aquaclear 100 powerfilter with the sponge filter in it and 2 units of chemi-pure. I also have a magnum 350 with foam as well. You need to be very diligent in your housekeeping. I change 8 gallons of water weekly and feed sparingly. I only have 4 fish so the bio load is small. I use the aqua c remora skimmer which I am not entirely happy with.

But it works for me. Your experience could be different.

Regards,

Pat

 

[NCreefwannabe]

Do not add the sand to the CC, from what Ive heard and seen, its just going to settle in the bottom anyways.

 

[highland135]

I am running a very similar aquaclear filter system with a P. skimmer. With the small tank I was only thinking about a few fish also. Thanks for the advice and I will not add the sand. Would it be acceptable to add a small amount of live sand from an established tank to jump start my tank with some LR?

 

[NCreefwannabe]

it should work. I plan on getting a baggie full from my cousins established 6 year old CC setup.
You could also just add some quality live rock to get some organisms in there.