Live sand or Crushed coral?

Stacef · 07-07-2008, 01:24 AM

Ok, here's the ultimate question--

My fiance and I are disagreeing on substrate for our new tanks we are setting up.

I like sand,

He likes CC because it doesn't get "messed up" as easily. And simply likes the looks of it.

Which do you prefer.. and why.

Isn't CC a nitrate trap??

seafansar · 07-07-2008, 02:40 AM

I just like the look of sand better, and I think my bullet goby, who burrows and sifts sand, appreciates it.

Varga · 07-07-2008, 02:42 AM

CC is bad news. so is sand, but not as bad

plecosword · 07-07-2008, 03:11 AM

cc is a trash trap.

glampka · 07-07-2008, 07:50 AM

Guess the fiance doesn't get a vote!!!

Amphibious · 07-07-2008, 09:38 AM

Your question is a little off base. You don't need all live sand because it's too expensive. You want to find a source of dry Pure Aragonite sand as it is shipped in from the Bahamas. Processed and bagged "live" sand is a joke in my humble opinion. Aerobic bacteria, the critter that gives "live" sand it's name, requires oxygen to live. Once the "live" bacteria are closed off in the bag, how long will oxygen be available to them? Until they consume it. After that, death comes quickly. Your "live" sand is only live for a short period of time. Buying it from a LFS, your likely to be buying dead "live" sand. Why? Because before your LFS received it, it sat in a warehouse, for how long? Do you get my point?

Your best bet is to find dry Pure Aragonite sand in it's original state and find a diver that offers real "live" sand collected and shipped from the ocean. For a source of Pure Aragonite sand from the Bahamas PM me and I will send you more information on a source and why Pure Bahamian Aragonite sand is the preferred substrate.

When you first set up a reef tank you don't even need live sand. Your LR will seed your sand bed in a short period of time, long before you are ready to add corals and fish. This is an expensive hobby. Save money where you can.

If you want to add live sand, top of with an inch of real "live" sand from the ocean. You'll get more than aerobic bacteria. You'll get marine worms (very important), mini stars and maybe some little clams and snails.

I hope this helps win over your fiancee to sand because CC is a disaster waiting to happen. The results of your poll should point out how wrong CC is. I commend you for having the fortitude to stand up for your belief and bring your question here to RS.

Dick

mps9506 · 07-07-2008, 09:46 AM

good grief, am I the only bare bottom proponent left here?

blue_eyes53813 · 07-07-2008, 09:52 AM

Sand for me....

Stacef · 07-07-2008, 10:28 AM

I knew where this poll was going to go. But I offered to put a poll up, and he said "whichever gets more votes--we'll do"

Looks like I won already

Thanks everyone for your prompt responses!

cheeks69 · 07-07-2008, 10:41 AM

I would never use CC but if you do choose to use it I would add a very thin layer and would recommend you vacuum it regularly.

Amphibious · 07-07-2008, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stacef

I knew where this poll was going to go. But I offered to put a poll up, and he said "whichever gets more votes--we'll do"

Looks like I won already

Thanks everyone for your prompt responses!

Of course you knew. With 1200+ posts on this forum you couldn't possibly have not seen this discussed often.

Your fiancee is a winner, too. He's got you to lead him on the straight and narrow. Best of everything to you guys.

Dick

Stacef · 07-07-2008, 10:50 AM

Yeah, I know what a terrible thing CC is, but I don't blame him for double checking if it's ok to use, by checking with everyone else!!

Sand it is, I get my way again

nikkipigtails · 07-07-2008, 11:15 AM

I had a bare bottom for a while in our back tank and it was the easiest to keep clean but my eyes wanted more so we added CC...BAD IDEA!!! It's like a toilet bowl that never gets flushed.

Stacef · 07-07-2008, 11:33 AM

Thanks for the help Nikki! Wonderful information.

nikkipigtails · 07-07-2008, 11:43 AM

yeah, I tried to include a great visual to get the point across

View Poll Results: Live Sand or Crushed Coral
Live Sand	58	92.06%
Crushed Coral	3	4.76%
Doesn't really matter to me	2	3.17%
Neither, bare etc.	1	1.59%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 63. You may not vote on this poll

07-07-2008, 01:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
Stacef Acropora Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dubuque Posts: 1,773 View Gallery Karma Komment	Live sand or Crushed coral? Ok, here's the ultimate question-- My fiance and I are disagreeing on substrate for our new tanks we are setting up. I like sand, He likes CC because it doesn't get "messed up" as easily. And simply likes the looks of it. Which do you prefer.. and why. Isn't CC a nitrate trap?? __________________ Stace My 72g Build-full of pictures, we all know you loce pictures!

07-07-2008, 02:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
seafansar Sea Pen Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 312 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Live sand or Crushed coral? I just like the look of sand better, and I think my bullet goby, who burrows and sifts sand, appreciates it. __________________ -Sara Member of Gainesville Reef Club http://www.gnvreef.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=445

07-07-2008, 02:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
Varga Golden Moray Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,381 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Live sand or Crushed coral? CC is bad news. so is sand, but not as bad __________________ Visit my 300g Build http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...all-build.html

07-07-2008, 03:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
plecosword Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Irvine Posts: 1,231 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Live sand or Crushed coral? cc is a trash trap. __________________ --M/A "Post in Peace." !!!20g for reals!!!

07-07-2008, 07:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
glampka Achilles Tang Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Margaritaville Posts: 841 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Live sand or Crushed coral? Guess the fiance doesn't get a vote!!! __________________ We are the people our parents warned us about! JB 30 gal mixed reef 12 gal mixed Aquapod, 70 W MH 12 gal JBJ cube - mixed reef 12 gal Aquapod - work in progress

07-07-2008, 09:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
Amphibious Ricordea Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ft. Pierce, FL Posts: 183 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Live sand or Crushed coral? Your question is a little off base. You don't need all live sand because it's too expensive. You want to find a source of dry Pure Aragonite sand as it is shipped in from the Bahamas. Processed and bagged "live" sand is a joke in my humble opinion. Aerobic bacteria, the critter that gives "live" sand it's name, requires oxygen to live. Once the "live" bacteria are closed off in the bag, how long will oxygen be available to them? Until they consume it. After that, death comes quickly. Your "live" sand is only live for a short period of time. Buying it from a LFS, your likely to be buying dead "live" sand. Why? Because before your LFS received it, it sat in a warehouse, for how long? Do you get my point? Your best bet is to find dry Pure Aragonite sand in it's original state and find a diver that offers real "live" sand collected and shipped from the ocean. For a source of Pure Aragonite sand from the Bahamas PM me and I will send you more information on a source and why Pure Bahamian Aragonite sand is the preferred substrate. When you first set up a reef tank you don't even need live sand. Your LR will seed your sand bed in a short period of time, long before you are ready to add corals and fish. This is an expensive hobby. Save money where you can. If you want to add live sand, top of with an inch of real "live" sand from the ocean. You'll get more than aerobic bacteria. You'll get marine worms (very important), mini stars and maybe some little clams and snails. I hope this helps win over your fiancee to sand because CC is a disaster waiting to happen. The results of your poll should point out how wrong CC is. I commend you for having the fortitude to stand up for your belief and bring your question here to RS. Dick __________________ Amphibious As I approach my 70th BD, I'm realizing that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife says, "He's approaching 70 going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that. Amphibious' 135gal mixed reef thread

07-07-2008, 09:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
mps9506 Totally stoked dude Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,518 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Live sand or Crushed coral? good grief, am I the only bare bottom proponent left here? __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

07-07-2008, 09:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 7,142 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Live sand or Crushed coral? Sand for me.... __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

07-07-2008, 10:28 AM	#9 (permalink)
Stacef Acropora Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dubuque Posts: 1,773 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Live sand or Crushed coral? I knew where this poll was going to go. But I offered to put a poll up, and he said "whichever gets more votes--we'll do" Looks like I won already Thanks everyone for your prompt responses! __________________ Stace My 72g Build-full of pictures, we all know you loce pictures!

07-07-2008, 10:41 AM	#10 (permalink)
cheeks69 Wannabe Guru Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northeast Posts: 7,000 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Live sand or Crushed coral? I would never use CC but if you do choose to use it I would add a very thin layer and would recommend you vacuum it regularly. __________________ Robert My Cube “A spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe—a spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we with our modest powers must feel humble.” Albert Einstein

07-07-2008, 10:50 AM	#12 (permalink)
Stacef Acropora Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dubuque Posts: 1,773 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Live sand or Crushed coral? Yeah, I know what a terrible thing CC is, but I don't blame him for double checking if it's ok to use, by checking with everyone else!! Sand it is, I get my way again __________________ Stace My 72g Build-full of pictures, we all know you loce pictures!

07-07-2008, 11:15 AM	#13 (permalink)
nikkipigtails Golden Moray Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,985 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Live sand or Crushed coral? I had a bare bottom for a while in our back tank and it was the easiest to keep clean but my eyes wanted more so we added CC...BAD IDEA!!! It's like a toilet bowl that never gets flushed. __________________ No man ever reached excellence in any one art or profession without having passed through the slow and painful process of study and preparation. - Horace

07-07-2008, 11:33 AM	#14 (permalink)
Stacef Acropora Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dubuque Posts: 1,773 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Live sand or Crushed coral? Thanks for the help Nikki! Wonderful information. __________________ Stace My 72g Build-full of pictures, we all know you loce pictures!

07-07-2008, 11:43 AM	#15 (permalink)
nikkipigtails Golden Moray Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,985 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Live sand or Crushed coral? yeah, I tried to include a great visual to get the point across __________________ No man ever reached excellence in any one art or profession without having passed through the slow and painful process of study and preparation. - Horace

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