Greshman Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Hi All, I'm in the process of setting up a new 29g Biocube. Most of my equipment has arrived, but one key purchase I've yet to make is for the live rock/live sand. I'm a little confused on what I should be looking for: 1. Coraline Algae - I assume that having this is good, but I don't exactly know why (other than it looks nice). Any explanations? 2. Actual Rock vs. Aquacultured Rock - Can someone please give me a basic breakdown of the pro's and con's on these options? 3. Cured vs Uncured - I know Uncured has more lifeforms on it (and possibly pests), but what is generally preferred assuming cycle time isn't a strong consideration? 4.Types of Rock (ex Figi, Tonga, etc.) - I know a lot of this is simply preference, but if I'm shooting for a nice looking reef tank which will allow me to display corals and provide hiding spots for my livestock, what should I be on the lookout for? 5. Local vs Shipped Rock - How successful is distance shipping with live rock? If it's a 2-3 day haul, will most the life be dead on arrival? Generally speaking, which method is usually more successful? 6. Cycling - How do my different choices affect my cycling time? 7. Live Sand - I believe I'd like to have about a 1" sand bed mainly for aesthetic purposes. I plan on having some kind of sand sifting goby, any recommendations on the type of sand? I've heard that the sugar fine sand tends to blow around a lot (I'll be using an MP10). Should I buy more course sand? Thanks for any advice. Link to comment
amphipod Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Its best to look for light weight porus rock with a heavy entrustment of organisms coralline algae included a few worms in crevices doesn't hurt. Watch for our friends the aiptasia they can hurt some corals. Coralline is a good bio indicator for your tanks health and the rocks potential. Pros of aquaculture rock are eco friendly, less pests, pretty much cured at times. Con's less diversity, often more expensive. Wild rock pros are more hitchhikers, often cheaper. Con's are less eco friendly, pest potential, die off can occur badly on occasion. I personally prefer mostly uncured rock.2-3 days shouldn't be bad, check the rock for dead animals or a bad smell from the tanks, that is a bad sign. If you want cheapest sand, wash some trustable play sand repeatedly, or you can go to the local fish store and obtain bags of dry sand. Live sand is not as necessary as some will make you believe, the bacteria from the rock can easily colonise the sand over time. Hope this helps some. Link to comment
Van Schwank Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I went to Reef Cleaners to get my rock to put in my Biocube29. It's plain Jane stuff but very porous and full of holes lots of surface area. 30 lbs for $63 shipped I think I paid. I think they are a sponsor here. Anyway I'm seeding it with some like live rock. I loved the stuff I got from them. It will take longer but I think it's worth it. Oh yeah I just started my tank too. Link to comment
GokesReef Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 In my first tank I got the fiji rock from saltwaterfish.com and it was pretty awesome ( http://www.saltwaterfish.com/product-ultra-premium-fiji-live-rock-12lbs-free-shipping ) This time I opted to go with dry rock and livesand - not interested in dealing with potential unwanted hitchhikers/algae this time around Link to comment
Greshman Posted February 14, 2015 Author Share Posted February 14, 2015 Its best to look for light weight porus rock with a heavy entrustment of organisms coralline algae included a few worms in crevices doesn't hurt. Watch for our friends the aiptasia they can hurt some corals. Coralline is a good bio indicator for your tanks health and the rocks potential. Pros of aquaculture rock are eco friendly, less pests, pretty much cured at times. Con's less diversity, often more expensive. Wild rock pros are more hitchhikers, often cheaper. Con's are less eco friendly, pest potential, die off can occur badly on occasion. I personally prefer mostly uncured rock.2-3 days shouldn't be bad, check the rock for dead animals or a bad smell from the tanks, that is a bad sign. If you want cheapest sand, wash some trustable play sand repeatedly, or you can go to the local fish store and obtain bags of dry sand. Live sand is not as necessary as some will make you believe, the bacteria from the rock can easily colonise the sand over time. Hope this helps some. That helps amazingly thanks. In your experience, does the aquacultured stuff usually come with coralline algae? In my first tank I got the fiji rock from saltwaterfish.com and it was pretty awesome ( http://www.saltwaterfish.com/product-ultra-premium-fiji-live-rock-12lbs-free-shipping ) This time I opted to go with dry rock and livesand - not interested in dealing with potential unwanted hitchhikers/algae this time around Did you have a bad experience before? Link to comment
GokesReef Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 That helps amazingly thanks. In your experience, does the aquacultured stuff usually come with coralline algae? Did you have a bad experience before? I got lucky with my actual LR, but my old tank ended up having battles with a number of infestations - bryopsis, bubble algae, aiptasia.. beat them, but no fun! I'm just going the better safe than sorry route this time because you never know what you'll get (for better or worse) - just make sure you find a solid source and you'll most likely be fine Link to comment
amphipod Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 That helps amazingly thanks. In your experience, does the aquacultured stuff usually come with coralline algae? Did you have a bad experience before? glad I could help some aquacultured, and most other non dry live rocks for that matter will have some amount of coralline algae, some have lots more than others Link to comment
Greshman Posted February 14, 2015 Author Share Posted February 14, 2015 I got lucky with my actual LR, but my old tank ended up having battles with a number of infestations - bryopsis, bubble algae, aiptasia.. beat them, but no fun! I'm just going the better safe than sorry route this time because you never know what you'll get (for better or worse) - just make sure you find a solid source and you'll most likely be fine It's sounding like aquacultured rock is the way to go I think. Thanks for all the info. Link to comment
amphipod Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 What are all your plans for the tank? Link to comment
Greshman Posted February 14, 2015 Author Share Posted February 14, 2015 What are all your plans for the tank? I haven't really started taking any pictures yet. I'm still waiting on RODI parts and trying to figure out the live rock stuff. Here's a thread I recently reported asking for tips on my shopping list. I've scrapped a few of the items on this list but most of the major purchases have receently been delivered this week: http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/357043-new-29gal-biocube-setup-2k-cheaper-alternatives/ If I wanted to start taking some pics should I set up a separate build thread? Link to comment
amphipod Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Post pics in here, it will be fine Link to comment
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