live sand or live rock first?

[grizz99]

should i add the live sand first or the live rock, or should i put them both in at the same time?

 

[Anonymous]

If you need to cure the live rock, do the sand after the rock is done. Save you the messy cleanup.

 

[hdtran]

Depends on how un-cured the LR is :wink:

Also depends on the LS. If you're getting LS from an active LFS substrate and LR from the LFS holding tank, throw them in at the same time. If you're getting LS from the pre-bagged LS, save your money. Use aragonite sand, and borrow a cup of substrate from a buddy with an established tank or from the LFS to 'seed' your LS.

If you're going mail order on both LS and LR (btw, I highly recommend Tampa Bay Saltwater's 'package.' I'm a very happy customer), you can stick both in at the same time (actually, LS in 15 minutes before LR 8) ).

I'm attaching a view of my new 120g tank, with the TBS LS and LR (about 2 weeks from start). I've got a plenum, hence, the huge thickness at the bottom. There was a diatom bloom that went away, it's now going thru its bryopsis or other hair. (Boy, I wish I could have a hair bloom :lol: )

 

[grizz99]

yea i was gonna order them both online, and i'm still shopping around. i like the marshall island rock, and i think that the rock from TBS looks good too. i'd like to get enough rock on the first order, but i've never done this before, how much would you think would definately be enough for my 75 gal?

 

[JohnD]

Grzz -

A good rule of thumb is 1 pound per gallon. However, not all rock has the same density. Marshall Island rock, for example is lighter than Carribbean rock, so you might be able to get 60 pounds of it for your 75.

On the other hand, you may want to buy some base rock as a support for the rest of your live rock. I recently bought some base rock from Premium Aquatics that was previously alive. The price is right and you can top it off with, say 20 to 25 pounds of Marshall Island rock.

Here is a link:

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant ... e=Liverock

HTH,

JohnD

 

[Anonymous]

here is a question not to be a smart ass, but do you put the carriage before the horse...if you plan on adding live sand, i suggest in my humble opinion add the sand first or at the same time....

 

[sorenb]

If rocks are place on sand, they may tumble down on the unsuspecting creature that happens to like digging around in the sand.

I would put the rocks in first due to this.

sorenb

 

[Anonymous]

I prefer to put the rock in and wait until it is completely cured before adding the sand. The rock will most likely have some die off and detritus will fall off onto the sand. If it falls onto the glass bottom, it is much easier to siphon off when you do a water change.

I also support the idea of having the rock placed on the glass, or otherwise supported off the glass. Sitting the rock on top of the sand could lead to problems later when critters burrow underneath the rock. Some folks support their rock with PVC, some do it with acrylic rods. Either way works. I like acrylic rods the best or just place the rock on the glass.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

Here is a thread that shows how I did the acrylic rod thing.

Louey

 

[hdtran]

Rules of thumbs for amount of rock vary. Most people say 1.5 lbs of LR per gallon of tank, though when you add LS to your substrate, you can reduce the amount of rock. Of course, the more rock, the better, as it harbors all the good bacteria & micro/meso fauna (pods, worms, other critters). At some point, excessive rock displaces your water and you have no more room for fish (or water circulation :lol: )

I go lighter, but I'm also planning for a smaller bioload (fewer fish).

If you're concerned about digging critters, you can put PVC or eggcrate foundations in your tank before putting in the substrate, then, put in the LS, then, place your rocks on top of your foundation. I defy a digging critter to dig through a 4" PVC fitting

If you go with the TBS package, you can go with their recommendation for your size tank, or you can downsize about 20% (say a 60g package for a 75g tank). No 'curing' needed, just a very quick nitrogen cycle (on the order of two weeks). They recommend 2 lbs/gal, because the native rock they use is denser. PM me if you want more details.

 

[Anonymous]

1lb-2lbs/gallon is the very general rule of thumb for live rock. Place IT in the tank first (we prefer you cure it outside the display to avoid nuisance critters becoming established in the display), then add the sand. Honestly, I am too cheap to spend money on "live sand", knowing that any substrate you place in the tank will become populated in short order, especially if you've spent your money on the best rock available. I hear Harbor Aquatics provides THE best L/R for your money, Tonga L/R. If you can get it uncured, then you have the best chance of keeping as much variety as possible, as you can do copious water changes to avoid those ammonia spikes that'll kill thingies off.