live sand & rock

cordell

cordell

Member
Ok guys I'm relatively new to the whole saltwater world.. but I've really fallen in deep with it... it just amazes me. I've been reading anything and everything on the internet that I can find. I've got a great book too that I'm working on. But I am on a budget right now.. so my question: I think I'm gonna get a 100gallon tank.. I'm wondering what would be the best way to start off with live rock and sand, since I'm on a budget I can't really afford 1lb of each per gallon. I was thinking that I could fill the sandbed with mostly playsand, then cover it with some live sand? Do you think 40lb of live sand would be enough, or would I need to go on and get 80 to do any good?
Also, the live rock. I was thinking about getting the 45-40lb Fiji rock from here? I know it's not as much as a tank that size should have, but to start off, is it enough?
I went to the lfs here and the lady knew a couple things.. and she had a 100gallon that I think I will end up getting from her for $200, which I don't think is bad at all, and I'll build my own stand(found many sites on the net for that!) and my hood too. But she had some live rock and man it looked ruff... she admitted that it was her fault cuz she didn't put actinics on it, she just had regular flourescents. It was completely covered in some nasty looking green algae.. pretty sure it wasn't any of the good corraline stuff. She said should would give me a deal on it for $4.99lb... doesn't sound like a good deal to me :thinking:
So anyway, my questions for this post was about the live sand and rock.. be glad if anyone could give some advice on this for me.
thanks,
cordell
 
dacia

dacia

Active Member
I didn't put in 100% LS in my tanks either. What I did was add enough playsand Southdown to make the DSB, and then I added a few cupfuls of LS to seed the dead stuff. It takes a little longer this way, but it still works.
As long as you don't overstock the tank with too much fish or try to throw in corals, you can add LR a little at a time as your budget allows. I would recommend buying all of your rock from this website. I bought 75 pounds from here, and it is just beautiful and full of life! That stuff at your LFS sounds like a rip-off...
Adding more LR after you have fish is no problem. And it can actually help things out if it is already cured.
 
cordell

cordell

Member
Thanks for quick replies.. I do intend on buying it from this site, and soon too because of the free shipping! Anybody know how long that deal is going on for? Anyways.. where do you get that SouthDown sand at? I was thinking about something like that, then get their Premium Live Keys Sand - 20 lbs to put ontop of it. This won't be too thin ontop will it? I don't know how thick that comes out to in a 100gallon long tank.
About the base rock.. what will it do over time with the live rock? Will it start to get some life on it and stuff like the live rock.. I mean over a long time of course.
How thick do you guys think I should do the DSB? In a 100g, I was thinking 4in.?
Thanks, and expect many more posts from me soon :D
cordell
PS.. that free shipping is a pretty good deal right.. that saves a bunch I would think on shipping? since it is pretty heavy?
 
cordell

cordell

Member
n/m the question about southdown, I noticed the post right below mine asking about it! I'll check around HD and lowes for it..
Also I was wondering if someone could check a couple links and tell me if it's a good deal, or worth it anyways?
Here is some base rock that doesn't appear to have any bids, and I figure 50lbs would go nicely with the same amt in live rock:
http://cgi.----.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...gory=3212&rd=1
And here they have available in 2 auctions 10lbs of live carib. sand, so that would be 20lbs if I could get both auctions. I figure with that and then I would get the 20lbs Keys Sand from this site, and that would give a good start, ontop of the southdown: http://cgi.----.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ory=20755&rd=1
Ok that's it for now... any ideas or suggestions on the above or in my last post?
thanks,
cordell
 
tagg

tagg

Member
Hi cordell
I've never bought "live" off ----. And don't think I ever would. (but thats just me)
Are you able to handle un-cured LR and cure it yourself?
Tagg
 
cordell

cordell

Member
I'm not totally sure on the curing process... but I suppose I could learn real quick since there are so many sites on the internet about it. If you know a good deal, I'll sure learn it quick!
I'll email you..
cordell
 
tagg

tagg

Member
Hey Dan
I sent you an email in html format. If your web based email doesn't accept it, just email me back.
The Great Blue "Marlin"
 
tagg

tagg

Member
Hi Harlequinnut
How much did you end out paying (shipping included)?
You don' have to say if you don't want, just curious. :thinking:
Tagg
 
cordell

cordell

Member
yeah it's a really great price! I figure 50lb of that with 25lb fiji and 25lb florida mixed, it would look/work good. :silly:
Thanks Tagg, I got it! I'll think about trying to cure some rock! for 50lbs, 2nd day ship, will be around $140.
Dang I post the ---- link for the 50lb base and it starts getting bids... my fault lol
thanks for the info guys.. really helps
 
tagg

tagg

Member
I forgot to mention in the last email, I did it in bare bottem, but going with dead sand would sure liven up the sand. :jumping:
Keep me posted
Tagg
 
cordell

cordell

Member
you think if I threw in some playsand or the like, curing the rock in it would liven up the sand and I could put it in my tank? just curious..
 
tagg

tagg

Member
Yess`em
Thats one of the benefits of curing your own. Keep it lit 7-8 per day and keep 1/2 of the air I said in email going. Depending on what you use for the cure... I would gess 2 inches deep. That will also seed more when you get the tank set up.
Just watch for algae blooms. [cut light time down if needed]
Tagg
 
tagg

tagg

Member
The last post is for after the rock is cured and removed.
To keep sand alive.....to make more in you want
Tg
 
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