Hey all, I like many of us have dealt with ick in the past and I was thinking about trying to start an ick free reef this go around. The problem is I’m starting with dry rock and would really like to get some real ocean micro biome to help with the uglies. I was thinking either ocean direct sand or Tampa bay live sand. I was considering ordering all my fish from Dr. Reef quarantined.
Here are my options as I see it. I am open to any other options.
1. Most likely to have zero parasites- set up my tank now with Tampa bay live sand (lots of live critters) sand and wait 76 days fallow. Then add my quarantined fish. Only problem with this is it puts my shipping time in January which isn’t the best time to ship fish.
2. Use Carib sea “ocean direct” sand and Dr Tim’s to cycle my tank now. Add quarantined fish when tank is cycled. (Hoping the ocean direct sand has been fish free for 76 days)
3. Use Tampa bay live sand and dr Tim’s. Add non QT fish (way less $) and have my own QT ready to go incase of outbreak. I could also not add any clean up crew and be ready to go hypo if I do get an outbreak. I’ve had great luck with hypo in the past and it would allow me to keep the fish in the display tank thus reducing stess on them.
Open to any other ideas!
Thanks!
Here are my options as I see it. I am open to any other options.
1. Most likely to have zero parasites- set up my tank now with Tampa bay live sand (lots of live critters) sand and wait 76 days fallow. Then add my quarantined fish. Only problem with this is it puts my shipping time in January which isn’t the best time to ship fish.
2. Use Carib sea “ocean direct” sand and Dr Tim’s to cycle my tank now. Add quarantined fish when tank is cycled. (Hoping the ocean direct sand has been fish free for 76 days)
3. Use Tampa bay live sand and dr Tim’s. Add non QT fish (way less $) and have my own QT ready to go incase of outbreak. I could also not add any clean up crew and be ready to go hypo if I do get an outbreak. I’ve had great luck with hypo in the past and it would allow me to keep the fish in the display tank thus reducing stess on them.
Open to any other ideas!
Thanks!