Crushed coral/shell question.

[msouth468]

I'm getting closer to figuring out the SW aquarium that I want.

I am going to have a deep sand bed for filtration along with Live Rock. And probably use sugar sized sand for the bed.

My question is: If I put about and inch of crushed coral/shells on the bottom of the tank first. Then add a screen on top of that, followed by the sand, will the crushed coral/shell help for a buffer or will it be to deep below the sand?

 

[somuchtolearn]

i would think by adding the screen between the fine sand and the corse shell would create more of a problem. i think it would end up being a "dead" space below because there would be not much to no circulation. if it's buffer you want try finding very fine sand aragonite based and labled "oolithic". 1.5" or under 3" is cool. and because the sand is so fine it has more surface area in large numbers in contact with water and makes a better buffer. PH related. and also better for the animals both substrate loving fish and burrowing worms. if it's not pre-rinsed already then do so it makes startup quicker.

 

[msouth468]

i would think by adding the screen between the fine sand and the corse shell would create more of a problem. i think it would end up being a "dead" space below because there would be not much to no circulation. if it's buffer you want try finding very fine sand aragonite based and labled "oolithic". 1.5" or under 3" is cool. and because the sand is so fine it has more surface area in large numbers in contact with water and makes a better buffer. PH related. and also better for the animals both substrate loving fish and burrowing worms. if it's not pre-rinsed already then do so it makes startup quicker.

Are you talking about the sand sold at hardware stores for sand blasting?

 

[somuchtolearn]

look for "aragonite" based "oolithic" reef sand. pet stores or online stores would sell this.