sand and coral mix ? help

[mkilbur5]

If I remove some of my crushed coral, say down to one inch can I put about 2 inch of live reef sand on top, and will I have any problems with ph. I have a 55 gal tank with two clowns 4 damsel and a blenny I plan on adding live rock and coral soon.

 

[cindre2000]

I would remove all of the crushed coral and replace it with sand. Otherwise all the crushed coral will migrate to the top over time. Either way, neither will help you with pH unless your pH gets really low. Your salt should take care of the pH for you, other then that, there are chemicals...

 

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't advise using chemicals to stabilize alkalinity. The problem with removing all the crushed coral at the same time is you will be removing some beneficial bacteria. What I have always suggested is to put the sand into old pantyhose, put that in the tank and start removing the crushed coral, maybe 10% with each water change (assuming you do water changes more than once a month). No more than a third at a time for removal. Then give it at least a week in between. This way you can avoid going through another cycle, and by the time the crushed coral is removed the sand is well-seeded, AND you don't have to worry about how you're going to separate the sand from the coral.

 

[mkilbur5]

if i use live sand do i have to seed and witch is better CC are LS

 

[Anonymous]

If your tank is established then just introduce the sand as I outlined above. It will be seeded within a month or so.