Need advice on live rock

[Gavin1274]

Hello everyone, this is my second post and you have all been very very helpful with my "Beginner" post. I have a 65 gallon tank with a Fluval canister filter 406, and a CLASSIC 100 HANG-ON-BACK PROTEIN SKIMMER!! And now I need some advice on live rock and sand that you all use and prefer and how you all go about setting up and keeping the rocks in a certain build! Any advice would be great. Thank you all again!!

 

[Mrs. Herbert]

Welcome to Reef 2 Reef!
There is something called reef puddy epoxy used to keep the rockwork/aqua scape together. As for sand, I used Caribsea sand about 40 lbs in my 75gallon reef. I also have a similar setup as what you are running but I am using the FX5 canister filter and the classic 1000 HOB skimmer and have pretty good outcome with my set up.

 

[ihavecrabs]

Welcome!

There are a few (many to be honest) options when it comes to rock as well.. here are the main options with some high level pros and cons:

1. All Live Rock

Pros: Hardly a cycle, if any, as long as it isn't boat rock, healthy bacteria populations, healthy microfauna
Cons: expensive, hitchhikers​

1. All Dead Rock

Pros: No hitchhikers (until you add them), cheaper in most cases
Cons: No bacteria or healthy microfauna, long cycle, long maturity time​

1. A Mix of Live Rock and Dead Rock

Pros: Better control over hitchhikers (easier to QT a small amount of LR and monitor it), Cheaper than all live rock, reduced maturity time (but still long), Seeds bacteria populations and microfauna
Cons: Still a risk of hitchhikers, still a longer maturity and cycle time​

I chose to do #3, a mix of both but I did it with boat rock that had been "rejuvenated" i.e. stuck in a barrel of saltwater to cycle off the loss from the boat trip. Bacteria definitely helped, but did bring in bubble algae and a bunch of other macro algae. I keep it lit in my sump so it is easier to control. Definitely glad I did it though.

 

[lapin]

Because I needed a ton of rock I went with dry rock mined Marco Rock. Its cheaper. Since you posted at midnight, Im not sure where you are located and what you have avail. The post above pretty much sums up the rock.
I like the Tropic Eden stuff. Comes in many sizes.
https://premiumaquatics.com/products/tropic-eden-reefflakes-aragonite-sand-30lb.html