substrate help

deepwee · 08-28-2007, 12:02 AM

i have been reading that crushed coral is not that good of substrate. i have a 120g fish only with some live rock that i cant get the nitrate under 20 is the crushed coral causing this? also can i change out the crushed coral and replace it with live sand without draining the tank and removing my fish? thanks for all the advice

kevin

AQTCJAK · 08-28-2007, 01:25 AM

crushed coral needs to be treated like gravel in a FW tank it requires vacuming. I would not replace it

lcstorc · 08-28-2007, 07:15 AM

If you do replace it do so slowly. If removed all at one time the detrious that has been collecting will all be released into the water at the same time and pretty much start a cycle.
Personally, I have it and hate it. Hubby however loves it and woin't let me get rid of it. All new tanks we go with sand.

Frankie · 08-28-2007, 07:27 AM

I agree with both posts here. You need to vaccum it realy good and replacing it has to be done slowly. There is another way to go, you can remove all the water and then the rock and fish as you remove the water, say 60% into a container then trash the rest of the water rinsing the rock off as you remove it. Then wipe the tank clean and add a fine new not live sand. Replace the rock then old water then fish and top off with new made water. Now you have replaced the substrate and did a really good water change.

Dentoid · 08-28-2007, 08:40 AM

Nitrates in that range for a FOWLR tank should be left alone. Too much "fussing" with the tank is only going to lead to trouble and loss IMO.

08-28-2007, 12:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
deepwee Tunicate Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 9 View Gallery Karma Komment	substrate help i have been reading that crushed coral is not that good of substrate. i have a 120g fish only with some live rock that i cant get the nitrate under 20 is the crushed coral causing this? also can i change out the crushed coral and replace it with live sand without draining the tank and removing my fish? thanks for all the advice kevin

08-28-2007, 01:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
AQTCJAK Tiger Shark Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,215 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: substrate help crushed coral needs to be treated like gravel in a FW tank it requires vacuming. I would not replace it __________________ A Wiseman once said build a stage add a pole & they will dance - Jack 2007 www.aquaticaggression.com Projects & Chronicels http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...car-buffs.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nts-tanks.html

08-28-2007, 07:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,786 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: substrate help If you do replace it do so slowly. If removed all at one time the detrious that has been collecting will all be released into the water at the same time and pretty much start a cycle. Personally, I have it and hate it. Hubby however loves it and woin't let me get rid of it. All new tanks we go with sand. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

08-28-2007, 07:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
Frankie Angel Girl's Daddy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The End Of The World Posts: 8,502 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: substrate help I agree with both posts here. You need to vaccum it realy good and replacing it has to be done slowly. There is another way to go, you can remove all the water and then the rock and fish as you remove the water, say 60% into a container then trash the rest of the water rinsing the rock off as you remove it. Then wipe the tank clean and add a fine new not live sand. Replace the rock then old water then fish and top off with new made water. Now you have replaced the substrate and did a really good water change. __________________ If we ignore the environment maybe it will just go away....

08-28-2007, 08:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 10,258 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: substrate help Nitrates in that range for a FOWLR tank should be left alone. Too much "fussing" with the tank is only going to lead to trouble and loss IMO. __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

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