What kind/how much live sand?

[wantvws]

After two years of planning and procrastinating, I am ready to fill my 210g tank this weekend. Here is the setup thread
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120345
My plan is to buy some live sand and mix it with the existing dead sand. How much should suffice to get the cycle going? Originally I thought 40lbs, but I'm not against buying more. Keep in mind I am in no hurry to stock this thing, and when I do it will be slowly. I also have a Magnum 350 canister filter that I want to use to vacuum the substrate. If I get the sugar sized live sand will I have problems sucking it into the filter?
Thanks!!!
Robbie

[mosthated]

I just setup a 100gal tank with pool sand and added some live sand from my old tank on top here is a picture you can see the two different layers. sorry about the large size of the picture.

[wantvws]

I just setup a 100gal tank with pool sand and added some live sand from my old tank on top here is a picture you can see the two different layers. sorry about the large size of the picture.
thanks...I guess you didn't put too much sand from your other tank then? Any idea on how long live sand takes to make the dead sand live?
thanks again!
Robbie

[Linariel]

If your rock is live, I wouldn't worry about adding live sand. I'm not sure what you meant by 'to get the cycle going'. The sand won't start the cycle, but it could help it along. If you just meant to help it, I probably wouldn't bother if you've got live rock. I couldn't tell from your pictures whether it was live or base rock.

How were you planning on cycling?

[Grins]

I agree Lina...however I believe in this case Robbie's rock is now base rock. It is a very special tank once his brother's and now dedicated to him.

Robbie, because you have 100% base rock (unless you've gone out and gotten live rock when I wasn't looking...I'd get about 85% aragonite and 15% live aragonite. I'd also consider getting a couple of primo live rocks covered in coraline and then mix these pieces between your base rock and coral skeletons to help seed them. It will take longer but in your special case the length of time isn't as important as what you're trying to accomplish it seems.

[Linariel]

Oh, ok, I must have missed that part of the thread.

I agree with Grins.

[wantvws]

I'm still new....perhaps "get the cycle going" was the wrong phrase....I guess I meant to cycle the tank. I was worried that since everything so far in my tank is "dead" that the 40lbs of sand would not be enough living things to cycle the tank. But I think (if I understand correctly) if I add 40lbs of live to what's there it will be ok.
Grins, I think I will get a couple of pieces of live rock from my LFS to help seed the rest of the rock. I am probably going to hafta rearrange my aquascaping anyway with the additional sand.
When you say it will take longer, any rough ideas on how long to cycle the tank? I had assumed 4 weeks or more...is this an accurate assumption?
Thanks so much for your help (and future help....hint hint..)
Robbie

[Grins]

You're really taking about two different things. Cycling the tank and having your rock and sand all become live.

Cycling the tank will probably take you 3-4 weeks to be conservative on a big tank like your's. I'd use either straight ammonia or large fresh prawn from the supermarket to start the cycle. There is a good sticky at the top of this forum on how to cycle a marine tank for more hints.

For the rock and coral skeletons to become live is hard to guess really. The larger ratio of live to base (or dead) you use the faster it is. I'd not expect tons of purple coraline for several months. You'll see a difference in 2-3 months perhaps but to get that great purple color when you have a low ratio of live to base is going to take some time. Use a good salt mix and try to avoid additives to "speed up the process".

[Tikidude]

I'm already showing growth and life on my base rock after just a month, but I also started with over 30lbs of live rock and 20lbs of live sand. It will happen in time, just have patience. I think in your case I would go with the live sand you have planned and maybe a couple of really nice pieces of live rock. If you focus on getting your tank cycled and then start stocking with fish, it will develop. I think with the rock I have seen in your tank, a couple of really nice Marshall Island rock would be beautiful. I would get pieces that have a lot of nooks and crannies as you get more life in them than something like Tonga branch.