Live sand and live rock HELP new set up after take down

bwitchn · 04/27/2017, 09:54 AM

Is it still a good idea to start a tank with live sand and live rock? I have to start my new tabk again. I had an innovative marine 20 gallon. Worse tank I have ever had. Major Dino and hair algae problems. Could not control. Did everything. Lights out. Increased pH. Added kalk. Nothing. Grows out of control. Im starting a new JBJ 45 gallon. Should i use live sand and rock? I know bot to transfer over anything from the other tank. Suggestions?

mcgyvr · 04/27/2017, 10:20 AM

Live rock/live sand can help cycle a tank quicker (if at all depending on "how live" it really is)..
Live rock/live sand also has the potential to introduce "non-desirable" hitchhikers/algae, etc...

Choice is yours..

bwitchn · 04/27/2017, 11:31 AM

What do you recommend?

thegrun · 04/27/2017, 11:49 AM

I prefer dry rock and definitely dry sand

scooter31707 · 04/27/2017, 11:51 AM

It's your decision, if you want to take the chance of getting hitchhikers with live rock.

mcgyvr · 04/27/2017, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwitchn

What do you recommend?

Well... My personal choice is to use dry sand and dry rock unless I get a deal or hit the jackpot and can do something from tampa bay saltwater...

BUT... I always do tanks with corals and in doing so bring pods/brittle stars,etc.. over into the tank from those frags..

If I was doing fish only I would start with good quality live rock and dry sand..

I will not use "live sand" that you can buy at Petco/Amazon,etc...
From my experience "live sand" while it does potentially contain some beneficial bacteria already it also has LOADS of dead/decaying matter and IMO causes more/longer/bigger issues with diatoms/cyano,etc.. due to the dead material in it..

bwitchn · 04/27/2017, 09:23 PM

Thanks. All the responses make good points.

04/27/2017, 09:54 AM	#1
bwitchn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 219	Live sand and live rock HELP new set up after take down Is it still a good idea to start a tank with live sand and live rock? I have to start my new tabk again. I had an innovative marine 20 gallon. Worse tank I have ever had. Major Dino and hair algae problems. Could not control. Did everything. Lights out. Increased pH. Added kalk. Nothing. Grows out of control. Im starting a new JBJ 45 gallon. Should i use live sand and rock? I know bot to transfer over anything from the other tank. Suggestions?

04/27/2017, 10:20 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Live rock/live sand can help cycle a tank quicker (if at all depending on "how live" it really is).. Live rock/live sand also has the potential to introduce "non-desirable" hitchhikers/algae, etc... Choice is yours.. __________________ Who me?

04/27/2017, 11:31 AM	#3
bwitchn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 219	What do you recommend?

04/27/2017, 11:49 AM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I prefer dry rock and definitely dry sand

04/27/2017, 11:51 AM	#5
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	It's your decision, if you want to take the chance of getting hitchhikers with live rock.

04/27/2017, 09:23 PM	#7
bwitchn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 219	Thanks. All the responses make good points.