What type of substrate do you use in your reef tank?

[ltkenbo]

I have sugar grain sized regular sand from "Nature's Ocean" that I got at petco. I have close to a deep sand bed but I am eventually going to add more. I have noticed though, most people don't use this type of sand, I see more of the crushed coral or larger grained sands in other aquariums. If I was to add some more sand to the aquarium what other type should I add?

 

[dcantucson]

This is what I use in both my tanks:

Red Sea Success Reef Base Substrate 11lbs

 

[Bifferwine]

I use the same sand that you do. I rarely see anyone using crushed coral. And if they are, I tell them to switch to sand! Crushed coral sucks and is bad for your tank. If you want to go for a larger sized sand grain, that's fine though.

 

[ltkenbo]

Why is crushed coral bad from your tank? And how is it largely different from aragonite? They are both calcium right? Well maybe it's not crushed coral that I see but like the mixed grained sands, like not the sugar grain kind like I have, whenever I see photos or videos on youtube.

 

[dcantucson]

Crush coral is too large and poop and other stuff gets trapped in it and then it leads to poor water conditions.

 

[ccCapt]

I use CaribSea oolitic sand.

CaribSea Aragamax Oolitic Select Sand 30 lb