want to cycle 100 gallon tank. Have already picked out what i will use. Getting 100 lbs of fiji live sand and several kinds of live rock including tanga branch rock, 45 lbx of Drs. Foster & Smith's Select Fiji Premium Live Rock, 22 lbs Tanga Branch. Which do u suggest i add first rock or sand??
cycling the tank
- Thread starter alkataz
- Start date
I would think you would add the sand first (some body correct me if Im wrong) you need to cover the entire base of the aquarium for your rock. some sort of platform may be needed as well.
Im also thinking about using Figi rock from F & S but it was reccomended to purchase this rock froma local retailer so you can SEE what your getting. Do you agree? Did you buy your rock already?? Also would it be cheaper to get it from a local retailer? You wont have to worry about extra freight charges.
The most Ive seen for rock is $7.99 per lb (Petland Discount N.Y.C)
The least $6.00 NYC. Both stores offered their rock pre-cured.
Im also thinking about using Figi rock from F & S but it was reccomended to purchase this rock froma local retailer so you can SEE what your getting. Do you agree? Did you buy your rock already?? Also would it be cheaper to get it from a local retailer? You wont have to worry about extra freight charges.
The most Ive seen for rock is $7.99 per lb (Petland Discount N.Y.C)
The least $6.00 NYC. Both stores offered their rock pre-cured.
You may want to use some type of base rock. You might be able to get some at a local fish shop. You can use lava rock too. Or you can build a stand from PVC water pipes. Are you doing a deep sand bed? If so you don't want to bury that expensive rock under 6 inches of sand!
Yes it is true that you can see what you're getting, but most places I've checked out for shipping just take their stuff right out of the ocean (farmed or not). Therefore you can bet you have a good growth, and probably even a better chance for more life, both in numbers and diversity. And if you buy enough, you're really offsetting the costs of shipping. Example. Up here in Minnesota, the cheapest stuff is around $7. 30lbs x 7= 210 bucks without tax. At Gulf-View.com I can buy 30 lbs for $130 bucks, plus another 40 for shipping. That's at least $40 less, plus I may get a better variety of life.
Voodoo,
If your buying Gulf-View's coraline rock, I think the shipping is included in the $130 price. Check thier website and make sure.
Brian
If your buying Gulf-View's coraline rock, I think the shipping is included in the $130 price. Check thier website and make sure.
Brian
Well hot damn! Good news for me!
Well then, there's more reason to buy online, $40 savings quickly turns into $70. Whatta good day...
Well then, there's more reason to buy online, $40 savings quickly turns into $70. Whatta good day...Adding substrate
In regards to what you are adding to your tank, would not recommend adding the sand, or any substrate for that matter. I know it does look unsightly with just live rock sitting on glass, but believe me it is much safer an easier to clean. By this I mean that substrate has a nasty habit of trapping dead/rotting compounds within the sand etc which as you well know this will cause all hell to break loose if you do not keep on top of it regularly sifting with a gravel cleaner to remove the ditris. Anyway I just thought you might like to know
In regards to what you are adding to your tank, would not recommend adding the sand, or any substrate for that matter. I know it does look unsightly with just live rock sitting on glass, but believe me it is much safer an easier to clean. By this I mean that substrate has a nasty habit of trapping dead/rotting compounds within the sand etc which as you well know this will cause all hell to break loose if you do not keep on top of it regularly sifting with a gravel cleaner to remove the ditris. Anyway I just thought you might like to know
I'd agree with that, however, if you get some sand sifters, say a few dozen hermits (you'll probably need more), some stars, maybe a watchman goby or something of the like, and other organisms that'll scurry through the sand, you don't have to worry much about "dead spots".