getting started

[venomfreak65]

the guy at the fish store told me i could put fish in right away with my aquarium because if i didn't my live sand would die off and be useless? This is the first I've heard of this , how true is it I'm confused?

 

[Travis55]

the guy at the fish store told me i could put fish in right away with my aquarium because if i didn't my live sand would die off and be useless? This is the first I've heard of this , how true is it I'm confused?

How long has ur tank been running?

 

[Tomchong22]

That is a simple ploy to get you to buy fish... "live sand" does not have really any beneficial bacteria in it, 90% of your biological filtration is your liverock. You do not need to add fish, especially if you have not cycled your tank.

 

[venomfreak65]

well i am not coin live rock, and i haven't set up my tank yet I'm getting 125g in a couple weeks. I am just trying to figure out all i can before i set up.

 

[Tomchong22]

I take it you are not buying live rock..? And your reasoning behind not using liverock? If I were you I would go with a dsb (6 in deep sand bed) with around 160ish to 240lbs of live rock.

 

[crister13]

THATS ALOT OF ROCK!!!!! As long as you have around 1 pound per gallon MIN for sand and rock you should be fine. Why no rock? Its the main filtration........... I dont know why anyone wouldnt use it..............

 

[venomfreak65]

Well for a pound of rock per gallon would be about $ 1000, I'm just out of money lol

 

[Tomchong22]

Look on Craigslist, local reef clubs, buy dry base rock. You can find people selling it for $2 a lb

 

[venomfreak65]

Good because 10 and $12 a pound ain't ganna wrk

 

[carey]

I have over 250lbs of rock in my 125g 6 foot tank and let me tell ya, it's ALOT of rock LOL.

I plan on taking out about 75lbs or so to move it to my new 90g setup leaving approx. 175 lbs which I think is a nice amount. I'd get at least 100lbs or so to start, between live rock and base rock if youre on a serious budget. You can add base rock as you go without a problem so you can drop $100 here and there til you get the amount you want and like.

 

[eatsomepopcorn]

the guy at the fish store told me i could put fish in right away with my aquarium because if i didn't my live sand would die off and be useless? This is the first I've heard of this , how true is it I'm confused?

Please dont listen to the guy in the store. Your live sand will be fine. You can drop in a few pellets each day and that will be fine. Follow the regular cycling and testing process.