Prioritizing "ocean" live rock versus sand

[BobTheBlenney]

Would it be possible to get all the benefits with out the live rock and live sand? I have the patience to wait. Could I use "off the shelf bottles" to get what I need?

I've used bottled bacteria and dry rock and I'll never do it again. It's certainly possible, people do it all the time, but it will take considerably longer for your tank to mature and get past the uglies and the nuisance algae. I have a 2 year old 20g started that way and I'm still dealing with effects of what amounts to an artificial start up.

 

[CheifReeferNB]

Would it be possible to get all the benefits with out the live rock and live sand? I have the patience to wait. Could I use "off the shelf bottles" to get what I need?

You won’t get the biodiversity from the ocean collected stuff however, dark curing rock with bacteria and nutrients will give you all you need to successfully start a tank.

In some cases this could be considered better because the ocean collected stuff comes with everything. The good and the bad.

Also you can build your aqua scape first and then cure your rock. Giving you the best of both worlds in that regard.

 

[mp2022]

Lots of great discussion/comments here. I ended up using almost 100% live rock (40/60 australian live rock and LFS rock/my previous tank’s rock) and then I have some Fiji live rock and old tank sand in my sump.

I honestly just like the instant gratification of looking at the life on the live rock, particularly the Australian rock. The Australian/Fiji rock came from Tankstop and is cured, but after a few weeks at least the Australian rock is covered in microflora/fauna.

Used tropic Eden live reef flakes for the sand - it’s ok but if I had to do it again would probably just do bare bottom in display and live sand from ocean in sump.

Thanks for all the comments!

 

[cobraz]

Unless you are totally committed to full quarantine, starting with a sterile tank is just asking for disease outbreak once you start adding live stock. It's the same principal as living in a bubble and then going outside. I personally believe that the exposure that comes with biodiversity and a proper diet are the best hedge against disease, just like with us humans.

You may want to rethink your response...Live Sand has biodiversity in it. So using Live Sand with Dry Rock and say Fritz 9 or other Bacteria in bottle solves that problem with Ocean Live Rock all the odd things you spend months and possible years going what the heck is that and where did that come from. So your argument is null and void.

 

[BobTheBlenney]

You may want to rethink your response...Live Sand has biodiversity in it. So using Live Sand with Dry Rock and say Fritz 9 or other Bacteria in bottle solves that problem with Ocean Live Rock all the odd things you spend months and possible years going what the heck is that and where did that come from. So your argument is null and void.

You're changing the definition of sterile. Live sand is not sterile. Sterile means no microorganisms. Also, and this part is just my opinion based on experience, but I've used bottled bacteria to start a tank and I'll never do it again.

 

[Double monti 61]

On what scale is this based on?

 

[cobraz]

You may want to rethink your response...Live Sand has biodiversity in it. So using Live Sand with Dry Rock and say Fritz 9 or other Bacteria in bottle solves that problem with Ocean Live Rock all the odd things you spend months and possible years going what the heck is that and where did that come from. So your argument is null and void.

@BobTheBlenney - Dude, go back and see my original comments (Post #34) you were so inclined to comment on.
I said "LIVE SAND and DRY ROCK."
You really need to learn how to read.

 

[JonasRoman]

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

I couldn't answer the cast vote as my option was missing...

My experience and view of this :
1) no tank can get full stability with bare bottom. Sand is superior to stone thanks to its area and porosity and possibility to include both aerobic and anaerob zones.
2) live sand is waste of money. Dead dry sand will be live, and also no risk of contamination with "bad live sand"
3) living rock is not necessary in long term but will shorten maturation time ofcourse.

In my latest, and most stable tank I ever have had I
1) started with 100% dead sand but not too coarse(1mm) and 5 cm deep, covering all bottom area and as little stone as possible covering the sand area
2) 10 kg live stone in sump. 100% dead stone in tank.
3) forced the mature process with 2 litres aquaforest biofill(small stones with area and bacteria) in a well circulated sump area.
Tank is 500 l.

Jonas

 

[BobTheBlenney]

@BobTheBlenney - Dude, go back and see my original comments (Post #34) you were so inclined to comment on.
I said "LIVE SAND and DRY ROCK."
You really need to learn how to read.

No need to get so upset or be rude, I was simply replying the idea of starting with a sterile tank. Maybe next time use more accurate terminology.

 

[Mid_Reefkeeper]

I just set up my tank with a bag of Ocean's Direct and dry rock. It worked for supplying bacteria and cycled in a little under 2 weeks. So pretty good.

Not much other life came with it though.

I don't think you need a lot of each. Obviously, you can get to a mature setup faster and have more chances for diverse life with more. However, 1 piece of rock and/or a cup of sand is all that's needed to cycle. A few pounds works if you're on a budget.

It's just a trade off between budget and how fast you get a "mature" tank.

 

[cobraz]

No need to get so upset or be rude, I was simply replying the idea of starting with a sterile tank. Maybe next time use more accurate terminology.

Dude last time I respond...learn to read.
Live Sand and Dry Rock.

 

[Gulf Live Rock]

I feel like if you had 100% live rock and 100% live sand as an option it would win the poll by a very large margin.