is crushed coral bad?

[zangler]

is using crushed coral for the bottom of a tank bad?

[ferventforager]

I use it and have no problems. I believe that it can help keep your alkalinity up also, but that may be debatable.

[BLKTANG]

I had a problem with high nitrates with crushed coral.It traped to much dietrius transforming it to nitrates.My 2 cents.

[maddyfish]

I've had less than 1/2" of it for a year with no problems.

[zangler]

my tank is new, so switching it out now would be easiest...but im only doing a 40gal...and dont think im getting anything too fancy invert or coral wise. should i just keep an eye on the nitrates?

[hcahan]

I run a mix of crush coral and sand in my Fowlr-softie tank without ditritus or nitrate problems, but it has only been up for 2 years. I would not start a new tank out this way now, I thinkit looks dirty compared to southdown, but I didn't know any better when I first set up my tank and the guy at the LFS said it would help with buffering.

[zangler]

what is the easiest way to switch it out? i only have LR and 5 damsels in there...and 3 hermits...any ideas?

[viceversabrd]

Same thing happened to me, lfs reccomended Crushed coral and now I know better however, if you think it will mainly be a FOWLR then as long as you do weekly water changes an vaccum than think you would be fine
viceversabrd

[smokinprice]

I have crushed coral and I havent had any problems with it. I will say that the botton does look dirty at times. With san I have heard that it can be a problem to clean. Up to you really I guess.