CAN I HAVE BOTH????

[clownfish2002]

I have talk to many people and I have been told to put crushed coral and I was told to have Livesand. So whats up? I have half of my tank done in crush coral and the other have in gravel I want live sand but Im not sure if I can have both PLEASE HELP ME OUT ON THIS ONE. Do I need both or will they clash?

 

[phantomfe3]

sure you can have both, youll have 2 layers, 1 layer of sand and the other layer of crushed coral, eventually it will get mixed though

 

[clownfish2002]

Can I have one side of my tank sand and the side crushed coral. Because I want to get somethings that live better in the sand so that Im told.

 

[phantomfe3]

i imagine it would work but it might look kinda goofy but you might be able to make it work. like i said over time it will probably all get mixed together anyway

 

[1979camaro]

i agree with phantom it will just mix...i have some sand and some aragonite and it is all mixed up...looks fine to me

 

[wayne]

Don't do it. It will all get mixed up and become a great big mess. The sand will get in the pores between the crush and make a nice anaerobic mess, and the larger grains will stop sand sifting creatures.

 

[S.Reef]

Yeah...agreeance with Wayne.

 

[clownfish2002]

So what do you think I should do? All sand or all crushed coral Im not sure with one it the better choice is. The lps told me not to put sand they said its bad for the fish and it holds algae blooms.

 

[S.Reef]

The sand is a way better choice. It also gives more stability.

 

[1979camaro]

how could sand "hold an algae bloom" that makes no sense to me...you will still need something to stir that sandbed up, whether it is you or some brittlestars or something along those lines or it can creat an anerobic environment = unhealthy

correct me if im wrong someone

 

[clownfish2002]

Just did my change from rock and crushed coral to sand now how soon should I get the starfish to help the sand shift or what ever?

 

[1979camaro]

well....you probably need to make sure your tank is stabilized and all first...id wait a couple months at least...your crabs and snails (do you have any snails?) will help with that too...course, if you have some bristleworms or anything like that you might not need the stars...

 

[clownfish2002]

hey 1979 camaro havn't seen you online for a few: anyways I dont have any snails just two crabs. Will they be ok or will I need to get something else to help the sand? and I dont have any bristleworms or anything like that I dont think.

 

[1979camaro]

well...i think you need to wait and figure out whats going on with that other LR you bought before you get any new stock for the tank (is the royal gramma new??) but eventually you are going to need some snails and some more hermits

 

[clownfish2002]

he has been in there for 3-4 weeks now the (royal gramma) yeah the rock is still in the (soak tank) but looks like it is doing ok.

 

[tammielynz9881]

i was told by the lfs that i should slowly switch over to the live sand that its better than the crushed coral because it would be more natural. So i am going to be switching it over next week by pushing the crushed to one side and taking it out as i add live sand... if anyone thinks this is a bad idea? well let me know. Just following instructions from the lfs.

 

[S.Reef]

Pretty good suggestion. I like to way your LFS thinks.

 

[clownfish2002]

But here is the thing. When you try to do that it will try to mix together and I was going to do that but. When it tryed to mix I went and changed all of it out to sand. And everything still seem to be doing just fine for now.

 

[S.Reef]

There is bacteria in the crushed coral. Keeping it there for a few weeks will help jump start the sand. Also, a little crushed corals still in the sand won't hurt anything.

 

[clownfish2002]

So do you think that I should put a little crushed coral backing there to help jump off the sand?