What Is Better Substrate?

[signman]

I have used crushed coral in my Mbuna setup, but I have been told it can be used in Marine. But what is better? crushed coral or sand?

thank you in advance

Rob

 

[1entra]

Your crushed coral sand can be used in a marine set-up as I also use it in my mbuna tank but have got some more and put it in my marine tank mixed with some live sand. Any aragonite based sand is good as it will buffer the pH and hardness etc. Over time it will become live. It all depends on you personal preferance and what you like the look of but either will be fine!

 

[fatfishman]

I think that sand is better as it harbours more life (or so i have read), it is less sharp for the underbellies of certain fish and in my opinion it looks alot better.

 

[1entra]

it is less sharp for the underbellies of certain fish

Well there is that and so depends on what fish you was planning on getting. Bottom dwelling fish like blennys may not appreciate crushed coral too much!

 

[TammyLiz]

There is also the issue that the crushed coral needs to be "gravel vacuumed" since the detritus falls between the pieces instead of resting on top and getting blown off with the current as it is with sand.

If you like being able to clean your substrate yourself instead of relying on critters to do it (which sometimes works out and sometimes doesn't depending on how deep the sand its, etc) and you can be consistent with that, then it is fine.

 

[1entra]

Good point