Hi everyone,

I've decided to get back into the hobby after a 2 year hiatus due to financial reasons. I had a 25 gallon tank that I took down about 2 years ago and I've recently purchased a 20h tank that I'm going to be starting in a month or so. I kept all of my LR from my previous tank but it has since dried out. I plan on buying bagged live sand at Petsmart when I restock the tank and was wondering if that would be enough to seed the tank, since my LR is now baserock, or should I get a couple of pounds of LR from the LFS as well? Any help would be appreciated.

Miguel

I would buy some small frag rocks with heavy coralline algae growth on them. Hell most local reefer forums will be willing to donate live sand / frag rocks with coralline algae on them. It will speed up the rocks getting some color and life back on them.

Related topic with advice that fits here

Ok so then I think my plan has changed. I'm going to just cycle the tank with the old rock and some cheapo argonite. Once it is cycled I will get a pound or so of live rock and some live sand from an established tank and add it to mine. My goal is to eventually get a good pod population going. That was one of my favorite things to watch in my old tank. I assume they, the pods, only start growing if you provide cured LR.

Yep.

Why not start with your dry rock, and some sand from an established tank (not the bagged kind)?

That will get things moving quicker. Without a bio-load of ammo prpducing fish (or shrimp/crabs) there won't be much of a cycle to speak of.

"Old rock" will have some nitrogenous organic stuff in it that will decay and start the nitrifiers going.

"Live sand" = marketing broo haha

Save some $$ and go with your new plan...

best-o-luck