Hard Substrate

[calvin415]

Okay, I know I read about this at some time or another but now I can't find anything on it... I was working on my tank tonight and realized that my substrate for the most part is hard as a rock instead of soft... I'm sure I could break it up if I needed to, but should I? Is that just the nature of aragonite, or do I have a larger problem?

[COreefer]

Larger particled aragonite tends to trap more detritus which over time will lead to cyano and bryopsis blooms. I wouldn't break it up, rather by a vaccum for the gravel and siphon the detritus out each time you do a water change. Try not to get to deep into the substrate, only about halfway. How deep is the sand bed??? if it's 2" or less you can clean it to the glass if you choose. It will require a little more maitenence, but if you like the look it will be worth it.

[calvin415]

Thanks Eric, that what I thought, but wanted to be sure. :) The sand bed is only about an inch, so I'll just start treating it like a starboard bottom and get a vaccum. :D

[COreefer]

BINGO brutha!!