Wael El-Dasher
Aquarium Advice Activist
When I set up my DT, the LFS sold me crushed coral substrate and only put down about 2" worth. I asked him several times about using crushed coral and he pointed out that he's been using it for years and years in his tanks and never had a problem. When I mentioned that most websites recommend 4" of substrate he gave the same justification.
Yesterday, I found a new LFS next to my house! They import aragonite live sand from California. I was delighted to see the buckets and buckets of this stuff in his store and planned on slowly replacing the crushed coral substrate in my DT.
But before I rush out and spend my hard earned money on very expensive sand, I wanted to check in with you folks.
Do you recommend I change the substrate from crushed coral to aragonite, or should I add 2" of aragonite on top of my crushed coral? Lastly, should I leave things alone?
I have a sump, I have no NO2, NO3 or NH4+ issues. My pH seems to be always steady at 8.3 (I use Aqua Medic Coral Salt) and everything is OK, except I always need to supplement Mg, while my Ca is always around 460-500mg.
I wasn't planning on removing the LR, whatever crushed coral under it will stay. It's just all the CC around the LR that will be replaced.
cheers
Wael
Yesterday, I found a new LFS next to my house! They import aragonite live sand from California. I was delighted to see the buckets and buckets of this stuff in his store and planned on slowly replacing the crushed coral substrate in my DT.
But before I rush out and spend my hard earned money on very expensive sand, I wanted to check in with you folks.
Do you recommend I change the substrate from crushed coral to aragonite, or should I add 2" of aragonite on top of my crushed coral? Lastly, should I leave things alone?
I have a sump, I have no NO2, NO3 or NH4+ issues. My pH seems to be always steady at 8.3 (I use Aqua Medic Coral Salt) and everything is OK, except I always need to supplement Mg, while my Ca is always around 460-500mg.
I wasn't planning on removing the LR, whatever crushed coral under it will stay. It's just all the CC around the LR that will be replaced.
cheers
Wael