Sand Vs Crushed Coral

[MikeD67]

Ok so I Just got off the phone with my LFs to get a price on estimated total for my Tank setup. I thought i was going to go with sand but the Person told me they cause problems with filter media and if can be avoided should be in a fresh water tank they suggested using crushed coral that cost 80 cents a pound and they said i would need 50 pounds? thats sounds a little excessive to me, but i was wondering if any of this was true does sand cause a problem in filter media? and is 50 pounds to much or does it sound right?

 

[adambrum]

If sand gets in your filter its not great but it can be avoided if you keep the intake pipe about 3" off the bottom the advantage of using the crushed coral is the affects it has on the water it will harden it and increase the ph which is idea for malawi fish so the choice is yours

as for the amout whats the size of the tank ?

 

[MikeD67]

If sand gets in your filter its not great but it can be avoided if you keep the intake pipe about 3" off the bottom the advantage of using the crushed coral is the affects it has on the water it will harden it and increase the ph which is idea for malawi fish so the choice is yours

as for the amout whats the size of the tank ?

its a 55 gal tank will also have lots of rock for hiding if that makes a diff in how much i need

 

[adambrum]

I used 25kg bad and had some left over so if my maths is about right thats just over 50lb

 

[denis coghlan]

I also used a 25kg bag to cover the foot print of a RIO 180 and another 100 lt tank (homemade). You dont really want an excessive layer, IMO what you want is just enough so that when your fish dig they dont reach the bottom glass too often! Although enevitably it will happen as some fish will be excessive diggers.

As for the price!!!

The estimate of 40 dollars sounds right for 50 lbs of crushed coral, I paid 35 euro which is 46 US dollars (for roughly 50lbs) You might be able to get if for cheaper if you buy it in bulk (larger bag) rather than buying it by the pound weight.

 

[mark7616]

I use childrens playsand in my tanks and i feel it gives a much better look you just have to make sure you give it a good clean before you put it in it cost $3.90 for 11lb.

 

[Jake Jackson]

I have a 55gal also.

I don't have crushed coral exactly, I don't think. I do believe it has a little of it in there, but its called African Cichlid Mix Aquarium Gravel "Congo River" by Carib Sea Inc. I have 20 lbs. of that and on top of that its Super Naturals Aquarium Gravel "Moonlight Sand" by Carib Sea Inc. 40 lbs. of that.

So 60 lbs.

 

[denis coghlan]

I have 20 lbs. of that and on top of that its Super Naturals Aquarium Gravel "Moonlight Sand" by Carib Sea Inc. 40 lbs. of that.

So 60 lbs.

That seems a bit excessive, 60lbs of gravel in a 50 gallon tank. Unless, or course the Carib substrates are exceedingly heavy for its volume? What is the substrate thickness on average around the tank!

 

[Jake Jackson]

Its 60 lbs, in 55 gallons first off.

Second, the first 20 lbs of sand just sifted and found its way to fill in the cracks of the gravel (The African Cichlid Mix) and the second 20 lbs, was to cover it up as most as possible.

Average of about 2-3 inches thicknes around the tank.

 

[MikeD67]

Its 60 lbs, in 55 gallons first off.

Second, the first 20 lbs of sand just sifted and found its way to fill in the cracks of the gravel (The African Cichlid Mix) and the second 20 lbs, was to cover it up as most as possible.

Average of about 2-3 inches thicknes around the tank.

so you have sand mixed with gravel thats a new ive heard people doing could be interesting, do you chichlids seem to like like or does it make it hard for them to dig?

 

[MikeD67]

OK well i dont know sounds like crushed coral is the right way to go for water perameters but im concerened about how I read the Cichlids could irritate there scales due to some sharp edged coral and I dont want to spend alot of money on a fluval 405 just to have sand be the fate of it and see my money go down the drain choices choices choices so hard im still at a stand still on a desicion.

 

[MikeD67]

Ok after alot of consideration i have decided to use the crushed coral, it may cost more than sand but it also provides great water perameters for them and from what i read allows better algae growth. I dont think the coral will affect the cichlids matter of fact from what people are saying sounds like they like crushed coral so thanks to all that posted with there thoughts all is appreciated.

 

[denis coghlan]

Good choice

 

[MikeD67]

Ok nevermind I guess my wife has said the desicion isnt made yet seems if she has to look at it everyday she wants to help decide lol. She is wondering if crushed coral is almost as fine grained as sand or is more like gravel but just coral? If its like gravel then she doesnt want that she wants something alot more fine grained If any one has gtood pictures of there tanks with sand and if any1 has good pics with coral would be great for her to see so she can determine what she likes .

 

[MikeD67]

nevermind about the pics I see theres a section up top where evryone left pics of there tanks so we are looking at those and they are look great hard choice for the wife at least i chose coral lol. but you know the saying if Momma aint happy no one is happy. Also does crushed coral come in diff colors or is it usually one color?