Tampa Bay Saltwater Live Rock/Live Sand Package

jimv · 12/05/2012, 10:46 AM

I am about to set up my first reef tank. It is a stock Red Sea 130 (34 gallon total volume/29 gallon tank volume). I was thinking of purchasing “the package” from tbsaltwater.com.
The Package includes:

1 pound per gallon Live Sand.
1 Serpent or Brittle star per 50 gal.
2 pounds per gallon Live Rock.
2 Tiger Tail Cucumbers per 50 gal.
1 Blue Leg Hermits per gal.
1 Peppermint shrimp per 50 gal.
1/2 Turbo Snail per gal.

I was thinking of going with the 29 gallon package for $369.00 for my tank. From searching other posts it seems like most people are generally happy with what they receive but I’ve also seen some complaints about a lot of bad hitchhikers coming along with the good. Has anyone had any personal experience starting a tank with the package? If given the choice would you do it again? Does the good out way the bad?
Thank you

Reef Doctor · 12/05/2012, 11:41 AM

My father set up a tank about a year and a half ago with "The Package." The amount of life that came with the rock is unsurpassed. You just can't get that variety any other way for the price. On the flip side, it's a slice of the ocean, good and bad. The worst we had for "bad critters" was gorilla crabs, and to tell you the truth, they are kind of fun to hunt. Some people get a mantis or two as well. We didn't.

In addition, be prepared for A LOT of crabs: hermit, porcelain, mithrax, decorator, gorilla. Some people don't like crabs in their tank, and this would not be the right choice for them. There are also a lot of pistol shrimp that are super small, and never done any damage to any fish in the tank. I personally think crabs are neat, but it depends on your reef style.

There are so many things on the rocks, that some of them are near impossible to maintain for any length of time (ie sponges, tunicates, barnacles, etc.) However, the things that do survive can be pretty exciting. Richard always gives you more than you expect and has great customer service.

12/05/2012, 10:46 AM	#1
jimv Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Riverview, FL Posts: 5	Tampa Bay Saltwater Live Rock/Live Sand Package I am about to set up my first reef tank. It is a stock Red Sea 130 (34 gallon total volume/29 gallon tank volume). I was thinking of purchasing “the package” from tbsaltwater.com. The Package includes: 1 pound per gallon Live Sand. 1 Serpent or Brittle star per 50 gal. 2 pounds per gallon Live Rock. 2 Tiger Tail Cucumbers per 50 gal. 1 Blue Leg Hermits per gal. 1 Peppermint shrimp per 50 gal. 1/2 Turbo Snail per gal. I was thinking of going with the 29 gallon package for $369.00 for my tank. From searching other posts it seems like most people are generally happy with what they receive but I’ve also seen some complaints about a lot of bad hitchhikers coming along with the good. Has anyone had any personal experience starting a tank with the package? If given the choice would you do it again? Does the good out way the bad? Thank you

12/05/2012, 11:41 AM	#2
Reef Doctor Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Arizona Posts: 141	My father set up a tank about a year and a half ago with "The Package." The amount of life that came with the rock is unsurpassed. You just can't get that variety any other way for the price. On the flip side, it's a slice of the ocean, good and bad. The worst we had for "bad critters" was gorilla crabs, and to tell you the truth, they are kind of fun to hunt. Some people get a mantis or two as well. We didn't. In addition, be prepared for A LOT of crabs: hermit, porcelain, mithrax, decorator, gorilla. Some people don't like crabs in their tank, and this would not be the right choice for them. There are also a lot of pistol shrimp that are super small, and never done any damage to any fish in the tank. I personally think crabs are neat, but it depends on your reef style. There are so many things on the rocks, that some of them are near impossible to maintain for any length of time (ie sponges, tunicates, barnacles, etc.) However, the things that do survive can be pretty exciting. Richard always gives you more than you expect and has great customer service.