Prioritizing "ocean" live rock versus sand

[mp2022]

I am getting ready to set up a new tank (125g) and am trying to prioritize whether to get some ocean harvested sand aka from TBS or gulf live rock versus just buying more live rock (already have a decent amount of both ocean harvest Australian rock from tankstop, some good live rock from my LFS, and dry rock that has been marinating in my system for 16 months now). I am trying to gauge whether or not it is worth it to just add more live rock or add some live sand from TBS or GLR. Obviously ideal world is to get 100% LR and live sand, but if there was a fixed budget, what would you get to optimize biodiversity/filtration?
1) 100% live rock + bagged sand
2) All dry rock + 100% live sand
3) 50/50 live/dry rock, 50/50 live/bagged sand
4) 75% live rock, 25% live sand
5) 25% live rock, 75% live sand

 

[Reef Jedi]

100% live rock with live sand is my vote.

 

[slingfox]

If you have the budget then 100% ocean live rock. If you need to save money then shift some percentage to ocean live sand.

 

[MegabiteOG]

100% agree on both responses above.

 

[Subsea]

Diver collected live sand has different biodiversity than live rock, so I get some. Because I like the larger biodiversity, I maximize on diver collected live rock. There is no optimum ratio, for me, it’s whatever my budget can stand.

 

[DmitryB]

Would it be a good idea to put diver collected live sand in refugium?

 

[X-37B]

If your on a budget do 50/50. If not 100%. I did 50/50, live and caribsea in my old 120. Worked well. Real live sand if you want a sandbed is prefered.
Where did the rock go, lol.

 

[56longroof]

100% real live rock and 100% live ocean sand are the best way to add biodiversity.

 

[261988]

.

 

[djf91]

As everyone else has said, 100% live sand and live rock is best and will give you the quickest on ramp to a stable and mature system. Seeding dry rock and sand is certainly possible but can take some time; maybe even years IMO.

I started my 500 gallon display with 100 lbs. of live rock I had from a previous system and 300 lbs. of dry Fiji/tonga rock and I honestly think it took about 3 years for the dry rock (and the entire system) to fully mature and stabilize.

 

[mp2022]

Thanks all. What if started the tank with all live rock and no sand at all - is it possible to add live sand at a later date? I kind of like the idea of a bare bottom tank, particularly as I want tons of flow and to have an SPS dominant tank, but know this might limit some of the livestock I have and may want to add sand later (and may not ultimately like the aesthetic).

As everyone else has said, 100% live sand and live rock is best and will give you the quickest on ramp to a stable and mature system. Seeding dry rock and sand is certainly possible but can take some time; maybe even years IMO.

I started my 500 gallon display with 100 lbs. of live rock I had from a previous system and 300 lbs. of dry Fiji/tonga rock and I honestly think it took about 3 years for the dry rock (and the entire system) to fully mature and stabilize.

It took my tank a while, even though I added good live rock initially, to get over the ugly stage, but what was clear was that none of my live rock had any of the nuisance algae, Dinos, etc on it, was only the dead dry stuff and bagged sand.

 

[LovinlifeinGuam]

Adding live sand is a little tricky after already having an established tank. I'd say 100% real ocean live rock is more than adequate. Bacterial biodiversity tends to increase in evenness in a closed system, so in time, biodiversity will slowly decrease as different bacteria compete on surfaces. The last part isn't particularly relevant to your question, but it's interesting to know and can be useful to understand.

 

[261988]

I like tbs live sand and dry rock, bacteria without as many pests and parasites.

 

[56longroof]

My tank has a ton of flow and no issues with sand blowing around. You just have to play with the powerheads angle.

 

[CheifReeferNB]

I wouldn’t recommend live rock from the gulf/florida. In my experience it’s been covered in predatory crabs and mantis shrimp. The live sand comes with a lot of the bacteria and microfauna with less risk of pests. Especially on a budget, I’d avoid that rock, you’re paying for headaches down the road.

 

[mp2022]

I wouldn’t recommend live rock from the gulf/florida. In my experience it’s been covered in predatory crabs and mantis shrimp. The live sand comes with a lot of the bacteria and microfauna with less risk of pests. Especially on a budget, I’d avoid that rock, you’re paying for headaches down the road.

I am somewhat concerned about that. I am not particularly interested in crabs/mantis shrimp although I will be keeping it in a holding tank for a few weeks.

Does anyone have any experience with ordering sand from gulf live rock? How is it packaged? Do you think I could keep it in a separate tank for a few weeks before putting it into a display?

Thanks.

 

[CheifReeferNB]

I wouldn’t recommend live rock from the gulf/florida. In my experience it’s been covered in predatory crabs and mantis shrimp. The live sand comes with a lot of the bacteria and microfauna with less risk of pests. Especially on a budget, I’d avoid that rock, you’re paying for headaches down the road.

I am somewhat concerned about that. I am not particularly interested in crabs/mantis shrimp although I will be keeping it in a holding tank for a few weeks.

Does anyone have any experience with ordering sand from gulf live rock? How is it packaged? Do you think I could keep it in a separate tank for a few weeks before putting it into a display?

Thanks.

I ordered my sand from gulf live rock. It comes in boxes but the sand itself is in a large bag with a little water. It is much more rubble like than typical sand in a fish tank which is great for microfauna and such and good for high flow tanks.

You could definitely keep it in a holding tank as long as you have a little aeration and heat for the critters.

 

[DmitryB]

I wouldn’t recommend live rock from the gulf/florida. In my experience it’s been covered in predatory crabs and mantis shrimp. The live sand comes with a lot of the bacteria and microfauna with less risk of pests. Especially on a budget, I’d avoid that rock, you’re paying for headaches down the road.

I am somewhat concerned about that. I am not particularly interested in crabs/mantis shrimp although I will be keeping it in a holding tank for a few weeks.

Does anyone have any experience with ordering sand from gulf live rock? How is it packaged? Do you think I could keep it in a separate tank for a few weeks before putting it into a display?

Thanks.

I ordered my sand from gulf live rock. It comes in boxes but the sand itself is in a large bag with a little water. It is much more rubble like than typical sand in a fish tank which is great for microfauna and such and good for high flow tanks.

You could definitely keep it in a holding tank as long as you have a little aeration and heat for the critters.

Is the grain too large for sand sifting fish?

 

[CheifReeferNB]

I wouldn’t recommend live rock from the gulf/florida. In my experience it’s been covered in predatory crabs and mantis shrimp. The live sand comes with a lot of the bacteria and microfauna with less risk of pests. Especially on a budget, I’d avoid that rock, you’re paying for headaches down the road.

I am somewhat concerned about that. I am not particularly interested in crabs/mantis shrimp although I will be keeping it in a holding tank for a few weeks.

Does anyone have any experience with ordering sand from gulf live rock? How is it packaged? Do you think I could keep it in a separate tank for a few weeks before putting it into a display?

Thanks.

I ordered my sand from gulf live rock. It comes in boxes but the sand itself is in a large bag with a little water. It is much more rubble like than typical sand in a fish tank which is great for microfauna and such and good for high flow tanks.

You could definitely keep it in a holding tank as long as you have a little aeration and heat for the critters.

Is the grain too large for sand sifting fish?

Yes. Those type of fish will need that bagged sand which is relatively fine. Most real live sand is much coarser. You can try to sift through it to get to the finer stuff. The particle size ranges from whole shells to silt. For burying wrasses I am in the process of sifting out some of the rubble so they can get to the finer stuff.

 

[SpartaReef]

Ive done dry rock with bare bottom most of the time. I once bought ocean live rock. Would do it again. Depends on budget