Aquarium Sand Or Crushed Coral?

[pimp4cheddar]

I'm looking for something to lay in my tank and sand is priced about $1.00 cheaper than crushed coral. I have LIVE ROCK sitting in a bucket right now waiting to be put into the tank. The tank is empty as I am starting completely over.

So my question is:

Since the LIVE ROCK will filter and cycle the tank...which should I use? Crushed Coral or Sand?

What would the pros and cons be of each.

examples:

Crush Coral
[URL="http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...amp;pcatid=7322"]http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...amp;pcatid=7322[/URL]

Sand
[URL="http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...amp;pcatid=7321"]http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...amp;pcatid=7321[/URL]



***PLEASE NOTE: I AM NOT REFERRING TO LIVE SAND OR LIVE CORAL*** <---THE RIP-OFF SUBSTRATE THEY SELL FOR $50.00+


***ALSO NOTE: THIS IS A 30 GALLON TANK AND I WILL BE HOUSING A "GHOST EEL" WHICH IS OK FOR A 30 GALLON TANK***

 

[pimp4cheddar]

I was thinking sand....since it would be softer on the eel...

 

[shibby]

dosent seem to show me ther products just a dog with a sad face saying product you requested is not avaliable ... weird.

i prefer sand looks better as long as its an arognite based it should be okay.

 

[pimp4cheddar]

SAND

^^^that's the sand



CRUSHED CORAL

^^^that's the coral



Sorry about the links...

 

[shibby]

i vote sand definetly now

 

[pimp4cheddar]

Petco only had this sand:

Is this ok for a FOWLR tank?

Please advise.

Thanks,

 

[pimp4cheddar]

Hey folks...

I just wanna know what you think about using this sand. I put in two bags last night and then noticed it WASN'T arognite sand. It's all Petco had and now I'm starting to feel like I made yet another mistake by putting it in my tank.

It looks great and is settling pretty good...but should I have put this type of sand in? Is it ok?

 

[CageUK]

Well it does say that it's a marine substrate so that should be fine. The main thing is that it doesn't contain silicates and this stuff shouldn't as it's obviously made for aquariums.
You should be fine!

 

[andywg]

Any chance of pics or good ID (such as scientific name) on the ghost eel? A lot of places seem to be showing pictures which look very much like a white ribbon eel as a ghost eel. The white ribbon eel gets a bit large for a 30 as mine is currently 30" long and does come fully out from time to time so will require a bit more room.

 

[pimp4cheddar]

I had originally wanted to go with a SnowFlake Eel...but I received a lot of faces because my tank was too small. So I figured I'll listen to the pros and make another selection.

I came across a few websites that listed 30 gallons is OK for this type of eel. I figured, since I'm probably only putting a Dwarf Lion fish in there as well...there should be enough room for him/her to swim around and under the rock...

Here are some links:

link 1

link 2



ANY OTHER INFO ON THE SAND I BROUGHT? It's already in the tank, along with mixed salt water and live rock. I'm somewhat scared that it was the wrong sand

 

[pimp4cheddar]

Anyone else have thoughts about the sand?

Also...I mixed my saltwater, then poured the sand in the tank and then added the Live Rock...all within 2 hours. Should I have waited to add the Live Rock?

 

[andywg]

I had originally wanted to go with a SnowFlake Eel...but I received a lot of faces because my tank was too small. So I figured I'll listen to the pros and make another selection.

30 is a bit on the small side for a snowflake, they get quite bulky.

I came across a few websites that listed 30 gallons is OK for this type of eel. I figured, since I'm probably only putting a Dwarf Lion fish in there as well...there should be enough room for him/her to swim around and under the rock...

Here are some links:

link 1

link 2

The second link is inconsistent. It has the wrong picture for the scientific name stated. I myself would disagree with 30 gallons for a larger white ribbon moray (if you end up with one) as mine is still quite active and a 40" fish should really be able to stretch itself out fully if it should desire. Mine often goes for a foray around the tank and seems to enjoy the large open space of the tank

ANY OTHER INFO ON THE SAND I BROUGHT? It's already in the tank, along with mixed salt water and live rock. I'm somewhat scared that it was the wrong sand

It looks fine. Looks almost identical to what I have in all my tanks (except the bare bottom one). No worries there for me

Adding the live rock quick is no real issue (or at least never has been for me).