What to use for substrate?

[Anonymous]

I'm about to set up a 330l corner fowlr. I was going to use crushed coral at a depth of about 1.5inch. I have been reading that coral can trap nutrients that can lead to algea blooms. Does anyone know if this is the case or if it will be fine to use coral.

 

[atnixon]

yep, i would stay away from crushed coral as a substrate...Just use normal sand, sugar grain sized will be fine..

Niko

 

[blackcloudmedia]

Use sugar. It wont dissolve in salt water.

 

[Anonymous]

Nothing.

 

[trido]

I have sugar size in my 120 and crushed coral in my 30. I regret putting the CC in the 30.

 

[Anonymous]

Crushed coral and sand. I don't care for the CC either. Keeps too much detritus trapped and have alot of vaccuuming to do.

 

[Anonymous]

I am going to havee about 1 - 1.5 inches of gravel, reading what you have said this seems to be the best solution. Just need to wait now for my sump from my lfs, can't wait. It is like a second christmas. Thanks for your help.

 

[atnixon]

hey there lfc....Can you just quickly explain why you are choosing gravel instead of sand please buddy...

Cheers

Niko

 

[Anonymous]

I went to my lfs and they had packs of course,mediuym and fine marine gravel. I have picked up 2 fine and 1 course. It is said to have a highly porous structure and i thought that this could contribute to bio filtration. I am going to keep it shallow to avoid anaerobic bacteria colinising the gravel. If you can see a problem please tell me as i am new to this and that may well be a crap reason. Thanks mate.

 

[atnixon]

Well, dont know about other people, but i would not use gravel because of detrious build up in between the bits which is going to cause some problems with bad bacteria build up...Personally, i would stick to sand for the substrate, sugar size granuales...

NIko

 

[Anonymous]

I have actually been thinking since you posted that response of changing it all to the fine grain size, i would like to keep a picaso and they are messy eaters and that would be a problem. Thanks for pointing that out, am going to change it. Cheers mate.