Tips & Tricks for starting a SW tank

[pondmom]

I'm looking into converting my FW to a SW and want so tips/tricks on what to do and not to do.

So far I was told not to buy crushed coral & live sand.
Play sand from HD will work (this will save me a ton of $$) Thanks
What else can you help me with?
Where can I find live rock for a decent price?
And...can I add coral with live rock??

 

[reefrunner69]

And...can I add coral with live rock??

If you have the lighting for it

The biggest advice I can give is to reasearch, go slow and buy plenty of books. By spending a 100 dollars in books, you'll save thousands in fish and equipment that is unecessary. Next tip, start thinking about your quarantine tank now so it will be ready when you want to add fish. Liverocks.com is very well spoken of and they are one of our sponsors.

 

[pondmom]

reef~

What would you suggest for substrate? Sand or crushed coral? And whats a good brand to use? I tried HD for old castle sand and they don't carry it here

When buying LR, how do I know what to buy? How will I know it's "live" when I get it? How do I cure live rock?
I'd appreciate any suggestions you can spare
Thanks much!!

 

[reefrunner69]

What would you suggest for substrate? Sand or crushed coral? And whats a good brand to use? I tried HD for old castle sand and they don't carry it here

Sand, aragonite based if possible, but pure silica will work. CC has a bad property of trapping and collecting detritus. Look for Southdown or Old Castle, also see if a store near you has it and try to arrange a store to store transfer for you. Might also check with local reef clubs in your area, many people are dismantling DSBs and have excess sand that just needs cleaning, or the group may have ordered a pallet and have some to sell their members. If worst comes to worst, there is an online source of aragonite sand that isn't too bad.

When buying LR, how do I know what to buy?

Most places will have sample pics to look at and choose the one or a couple that looks best to you.

How will I know it's "live" when I get it?

LOL, believe it or not, the easiest way is the smell, live rock with lots of die off will stink pretty bad and cured LR will smell like the ocean. In addition, LR will have colorful coraline and sponge on it, there will be many hitchikers that are not immediately apperant, but will become more apparent after putting it in the tank.

How do I cure live rock?
I'd appreciate any suggestions you can spare

Curing Live Rock?? I didn't even know it was sick!

 

[pondmom]

Can you explain what base rock is? (is it "dry" lava rock or coral rock?)
Can I use lava rock?

How about a set-up recommendation for a beginner
Including all the basic's from the sand to the fish.
example:
sand (how much for 125 gal)
LR Base rock
Skimmer (which is good)
filters
foods

you get the picture


I'm the type that ask's questions...not the reading type (sorry)

 

[pondmom]

How's CARIB-SEA REEF SAND 40LBS BAG?
I see a place that sells it for $21.99 Is this good or should I pass??

How's this "dry" rock? Worth the $$
http://www.hirocks.com/Our_Products.html 30# for $47

 

[reefrunner69]

How's CARIB-SEA REEF SAND 40LBS BAG?
I see a place that sells it for $21.99 Is this good or should I pass??

That is better than alot of them, but it seems I heard these people are selling it at a decent cost http://www.purearagonite.com/

How's this "dry" rock? Worth the $$
http://www.hirocks.com/Our_Products.html 30# for $47

It comes highly recommended.

 

[Wally]

Pondmom, Home Depot in Wisconsin Dells had some this past summer. It would be worth the trip for you .

 

[pondmom]

What exactly is "base" rock??

 

[steve-s]

What exactly is "base" rock??

Base rock is simpley an alternative to the high cost of LR. Preferabley it will be CaCO3 based rock quarried from a dry sea bed or it can sometimes be wet rock that has little or no life to it save the bacteria.

If you are worried about using it, don't be as long as you are sure of the seller. Base rock is a perfectly acceptable alternative to encrusted LR and will accomplish the same goal. In time and seeded with small amounts of LR, the base rock will look exactly the same over time. It's suprising how little time it actually takes.

Cheers
Steve

 

[WarOrks15]

live rock with out the live. it is rock that has nothing growing on it