Can I use dry rock /dry sand with Dr Tim's one & only?
- Thread starter acshaw80
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It will work but will be more difficult and take longer. I would return it for the live sand for the extra bacteria cultures you will get from live sand. If you had live rock I would just keep the dry sand but you're shooting yourself in the foot going double dry. While most new hobbyists don't know where to get clean live rock, live sand is a decent backup for a better first year.
Dry sand is fine as stated above. It might take a bit longer to cycle. Live sand can have a lot of dead bacteria along with the live stuff, that provides ammonia for cycling.
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acshaw80
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Thanks. I do have NH3 drops that I was hoping to use to help culture the bacteria. I'm in no rush to cycle so I was thinking I could keep checking water parameters over a few weeks to make sure it cycles. The reason I'm reluctant to return the sand is because I like the way it looks. Perhaps I can get a small chunk of live rock for my sump from my LFS to help populate the bacteria?
If you love the sand I would keep it. If you trust your LFS, a small chunk of live rock is a really good idea. It could have copepods which can be a big purchase by itself so $$ wise it's a value purchase. So if it's a good store, that live rock will not only have bacteria, but live organisms (copepods) as well.
If your in no rush ,thats a good thing.
I cured my dry rock outside the tank
Let it go for 2 months. Dr Tims , Bio Spira and Fritz Turbo 900 bacteria. The more the merrier. Ammonia plus left over rotifer and brine shrimp hatching water. Used dry sand.
I cured my dry rock outside the tank
Let it go for 2 months. Dr Tims , Bio Spira and Fritz Turbo 900 bacteria. The more the merrier. Ammonia plus left over rotifer and brine shrimp hatching water. Used dry sand.
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