Is the type of sand important?

[fijiwigi]

I just took a 5gal bucket poured Saltwater in it then added 5# of sand stirred it up and poured the excess water threw a strainer and put the sand in my filled tank cup by cup as to not cloud my water too much. I already had my rocks in place so that the sand surrounded the base of the rocks to help hold the rocks down and prevent toppling. I did not use live sand just basic sugarfine white sand and cycled it with my uncured live rocks when I cycled my tank. Having a fully cycled tank right when you add water is unlikely it will usually go threw 1big cycle and some mini-cycles during the first few months. Granted there are professionals that setup fully cycled tanks in a day(I know I am definately not experienced enough to do so)

 

[cmor1701d]

50 cents per pound sounds about average for the lfs sand. Playsand can be had for about 10 cents a pound ($5.00 for a 50 pound bag).