best substrate for coral tanks

[fizzle]

Setting up a new tank and wanna get the substrate right. What's the best option for corals? Heard mixed things about sand vs crushed coral. My tank's a 40 gallon with moderate flow, planning to keep mostly LPS like Torches and Hammers.

[clownie]

Crushed coral's got that chunky vibe, but sand's way easier to clean. I've had both, and sand's my go-to now. Less detritus buildup, and my Zoas seem happier. What's your lighting setup? That can mess with how much gunk settles.

[bigBird]

I prefer a mix. Fine sand on top for looks, crushed coral underneath for stability. Keeps the pH steady too. My tank's been running 2 years with this combo, and my Acans are thriving. Just make sure you've got enough cleanup crew to handle the sand.

[florai]

Sand's better for burrowing critters like gobies or pistol shrimp. If you're gonna have those, skip the crushed coral. It's too rough for them. My tank's got a 1-inch sand bed, and the nutrient export's been solid with weekly 10% changes.

[flamesso]

Crushed coral's got that chunky vibe, but sand's way easier to clean. I've had both, and sand's my go-to now. Less detritus buildup, and my Zoas seem happier. What's your lighting setup? That can mess with how much gunk settles.

Yep, sand's the move if you're lazy like me. I run a bare bottom frag tank, but for display, sand's gotta look natural. Just don't go too deep or you'll get dead spots.

[luremate]

I've seen tanks with CaribSea Arag-Alive work great. It's got live bacteria right outta the bag, so cycling's faster. My Torches opened up within a week of adding it. Just rinse it first unless you like cloudy water for days.

[pennyplus]

How deep's your sand bed, florai? I've heard anything over 2 inches can cause issues long-term. My tank's only 6 months old, so I'm still figuring it out.

[fizzle]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Leaning toward a shallow sand bed with maybe a small crushed coral section in one corner. Gonna pair it with a couple nassarius snails to keep things stirred up.

[staraqua]

Don't forget grain size matters too. Too fine, and it'll blow around. Too coarse, and it's hard to plant stuff if you want macros. I use Special Grade Reef Sand, and it's been chill.

[florai]

How deep's your sand bed, florai? I've heard anything over 2 inches can cause issues long-term. My tank's only 6 months old, so I'm still figuring it out.

Mine's just under 1.5 inches. Deep beds are sketchy unless you're running a full DSB setup, which I'm not brave enough for. Stick to 1-2 inches if you're new to this.