Questions on Adding Live Rock and Sand

[JusMeJim]

I'm going to be setting my tank up for it's cycle phase in the next few weeks. I have a basic understanding of what to do, but just a bit confused on maybe what order to add "things".

The tank will be between 75 and 125 gallons. I need to stay at or under 5 ft. so might have to stay around 75 to 90 gallon range. No sump/refugium. I'll have 2 HOB filters. One running as a normal filter and the second one will be set to a slow flow and have live rock rubble and/or other bio media.

To keep cost somewhat in line I'll be using about 50% pool sand and 50% live sand.

The same with live rock. I'll use some dead rock, maybe some "live rock" from somewhere that doesn't ship it totally immersed in water, then about half of what I get will be from Tampa Bay Saltwater and will be there Live Rock shipped in water.

So that leads to my question.....should I just add all of the sand and rocks at the same time, or would it be best to add the different types at different times?

Do both filters need to be running as soon as any rock or sand is added, or should those be started at a later point? Should filter media be used from the beginning?

What about adding the "clean up crew"?

 

[lapin]

Don’t waste your money on that bag of live sand. It’s mostly dead. Be sure to rinse all your sand . Dead and live. I would have your tank running and ready for the rock. Pumps filters etc. you don’t want to let the live rock die off. You add your sand last so your rock work is sitting on the tank not the sand. It will be more stable.
I would add a cleanup crew when your parameters are in check. You don’t want to kill them off with an ammonia spike.
Sounds like fun
Good luck

 

[FUNGI]

I wouldn't use Pool sand.......unless you like to see diatoms for sometime......
Look at Silica Free Play Sand as an alternative

 

[JusMeJim]

I wouldn't use Pool sand.......unless you like to see diatoms for sometime......
Look at Silica Free Play Sand as an alternative

Will do. I had just read where others were saying they preferred the pool sand, but I'm open to whatever is best to use. TY

 

[BryanM]

Gulf Live Rock ships their rock in wet paper towels, not fully submerged, it is what I used and I would easily buy from them again.

 

[FUNGI]

IMO, add everything, wait a day or so for sand to settle down and then start your filters with whatever medai you want.

 

[JusMeJim]

Gulf Live Rock ships their rock in wet paper towels, not fully submerged, it is what I used and I would easily buy from them again.

Yes Sir. I plan on getting some there. There's not a huge difference in price between them and TBS, but I think the big cost difference will be in the cost of shipping from TBS.

 

[Isaac Alves]

To start a new system....always fun. The following are just my thoughts on past experience...not sure if it's the best way:

Pool sand:
I believe pool filter sand is mostly silica? Not the typical aragonite? This would concern me as the tank goes through it's stages.

Adding Rock and sand:
I would add sand and dead rock first...let it settle, running your overflows to let the water settle in for a week...then add in the live rock.

Filter media:
I would add filter media when you add in the live rock since it will get seeded nicely

Clean up crew:
I would wait a bit until there are no ammonia spikes or until all chemistry seems stable before adding a clean up crew. Also until there are signs of things for them to eat. The live rock should bring in some goodies, or some baddies, so maybe letting live rock inhabitants have a run of the place for a bit might be good too.

 

[Subsea]

Yes Sir. I plan on getting some there. There's not a huge difference in price between them and TBS, but I think the big cost difference will be in the cost of shipping from TBS.

For what you are doing, you should consider The Package from TBS.

https://tbsaltwater.com/collections/the-package

However, with respect to the high cost of shipping, Air Freight pickup at airport cost $1 per pound for first 100 pounds and $0.50 a pound for everything after. I got diver collected live sand and live rock at the same time to consolidate shipping cost.

With a new tank setup, I suggest getting some dry sand and dry rock and cycling nitrification bacteria with ammmonia. Then after nitrification cycle is complete bring in biodiversity with diver collected live sand & live rock.