phosphate in coral skeletons?

[conjuay]

When I set up my tank, I added some coral skeletons, a cup and what looks to be a fairly large staghorn. I figured they would get covered with bacteria and would help with nitrates. Now I just saw something about not using crushed coral due to it releasing phosphates .

Am I causing my own pollution problems?

The cup especially is just covered with hair algae, but it's also where my clownfish sleeps at night.

[omard]

Originally Posted by conjuay

Now I just saw something about not using crushed coral due to it releasing phosphates .

I really don't understand why

All live rock is basically coral skeleton.

Might depend on source.

I have often added nice pieces I have picked up off beaches in Bali and put in tank.



Never had any problems.

[conjuay]

Then why do you hear people saying not to use crushed coral?

[omard]

Originally Posted by conjuay

Then why do you hear people saying not to use crushed coral?

All the sand we are using is basically "crushed coral"

[missionsix66]

Crushed coral, may be because it's alot more porous. More pockets for things to hide and turn bad.

[omard]

Originally Posted by missionsix66

Crushed coral, may be because it's alot more porous. More pockets for things to hide and turn bad.

Ummm, seems to me "more pockets to hide in" are a good thing.

Increases surface area for nitrificating bacteria to thrive in.

Also would provide better water flow and aeration...preventing "dead spots" in sand bed.


Must be some other reason people think not a good thing to use...

[amcarrig]

People generally recommend not using crushed coral because it's easier for detritus and uneaten food to get stuck in it and it can cause elevated nitrates if not kept clean.

[omard]

Originally Posted by amcarrig

People generally recommend not using crushed coral because it's easier for detritus and uneaten food to get stuck in it and it can cause elevated nitrates if not kept clean.

Good reason not to use crushed coral substrate.

So, back to original question, Phosphates should not be an issue putting coral skeleton in tank.

And in fact, pores in rock become clogged up over time, so adding skeleton with lots of new spaces for bacteria to hang out may be a good idea.

[wildreef]

Originally Posted by omard

Ummm, seems to me "more pockets to hide in" are a good thing.

Increases surface area for nitrificating bacteria to thrive in.

Also would provide better water flow and aeration...preventing "dead spots" in sand bed.
Must be some other reason people think not a good thing to use...

Well on this subject my tank seems to have been living proof of the crushed coral myth.
It can in fact cause problems in a tank.
Recently in the last few weeks ( the tank is 3 years old ) in that time i had 150 pnds of sand/crushed coral in it , avg. depth of sand/etc. was round 5 to 7 inches.
Needless to say i could never really reduce nitrates below 20/30 after 3 years of the tank running. ( excesive sand depth and crushed coral combined caused this problem ).
So in the last week i did infact ( this was a HUGE undertaking with corals/LR )
still in the tank.
I split the job into 3 parts, trying to reduce the mess ( wishfull thinking )
I sifted 5 gallons of crushed coral fronm this sand, .
it took me 4 days needless to say and i went on and reduced the height of the sand to round 3/4 inches.
After i'd talked to *geekafied* about this ( common sence ) lol
confirming my thoughts on this. ( it was holding waste and leaching out over time ).
Needless to say , My clams, xenia,leathers,mushrooms,torch, etc. have seemingly done very well in the tank with readible nitrates.
I'm a little concerned now though that some corals wont do well with out it.
( but time will tell ).

[omard]

Originally Posted by wildreef

Well on this subject my tank seems to have been living proof of the crushed coral myth.
It can in fact cause problems in a tank.
Recently in the last few weeks ( the tank is 3 years old ) in that time i had 150 pnds of sand/crushed coral in it , avg. depth of sand/etc. was round 5 to 7 inches.
Needless to say i could never really reduce nitrates below 20/30 after 3 years of the tank running.
So in the last week i did infact ( this was a HUGE undertaking with corals/LR )
still in the tank.
I split the job into 3 parts, trying to reduce the mess ( wishfull thinking )
I sifted 5 gallons of crushed coral fronm this sand, .
it took me 4 days needless to say and i went on and reduced the height of the sand to round 3/4 inches.
After i'd talked to *geekafied* about this ( common sence ) lol
confirming my thoughts on this. ( it was holding waste and leaching out over time ).
Needless to say , My clams, xenia,leathers,mushrooms,torch, etc. have seemingly done very well in the tank with readible nitrates.
I'm a little concerned now though that soem corals wont do well with out it.
( but time will tell ).

Wow...big job...congrats on doing. Hopes makes difference for you.

Keep us posted.


Scott