LR, LS, Aquarium Sand: Suggested Amounts

[liongirl]

I was thinking about 45-50 lbs. of Figi Live rock (from this site ... the prices here are outstanding - under half incl shipping of what my lfs wants to charge me)
How much GOOD Aragonite Special Grade Aquarium sand will i need to avoid as much of a cycle as possible, i will be seeding it with:
20 or 40 lbs. of Natures Ocean LS (from this site also)
How much Aragonite Special Grade and Natures Ocean LS should i buy?
Thanks for the help!!!!!

 

[liongirl]

ALSO ....... what kind of lighting will i need to buy for this live rock?
I want to get it all ready ahead of time, of course.
Thanks!

 

[burnnspy]

I recommend 4" of Seaflor topped with a 40lb bag of Natures Ocean LS and 45-55lbs of LR.
The lights you need depend on the corals you will eventually want to keep.
I don't advocate buying weak lights waiting to upgrade then as you purchase more demanding corals as the tank matures, since it waste so much money to do so.
BurnNSpy

 

[broomer5]

LionGirl,
If you are planning the substrate for a standard glass 55 gallon tank, I think that 40 lbs of Natures Ocean live sand and 80 to 100 lbs of aragonite reef sand would be wonderful. That would give you approximately 4 to 4-1/2 inch deep sand bed.
I hope to be doing this someday soon in my 55 gallon reef tank as well.
40 to 50 lbs LR sounds great too as you and Burn already mentioned.
I agree with BurnNSpy advise on the lighting, it will all depend on what corals you want to keep. What kind of lighting have you been considering ?
Brian

 

[liongirl]

Well can you give me a couple of examples of the "types" of corals i can choose between so that i have a better idea what is available once i start looking to add them.
Thanks for your help!!!