substituting live sand for regular sand. help!

Hello I am starting up a new sw tank and I first wanted live rock and live sand. But those are both a litte pricey and was wondering if I really needed one or the other? Because they will become live on their own after time. Would it be ok to buy live rock and dry sand? Or th other way around?

 

Ya that is perfectly fine. I would do Live rock and regular sand. The sand will become "live" after a month or so. That should save you some money ;D

 

Thanks!!

 

I'd get dry sand and rock, then buy a few good pieces of live rock, and steal a cup or so of live sand from someone you trust. If an LFS, make sure they don't treat there tanks!

Dry rock is a TON cheaper that LR

 

Yeah? than I could use a bio treatment to get the cycle going. that would be easy.

 

The more bacteria you start with the shorter your startup cycle will be

 

maybe, but maybe not, once ya add a bioload, all things change. NOTHING happens good in this hobby quick.

 

How big of a tank? Id recommend normal sand, 20 pounds of LR Add The One and Only or BioSpira. Add Damsels immediatelt. I added 12 for a 75 gallon. Once your tests show stable your cycled. Remove the LR, catch damsels, then insert LR back and any DR you want.

 

Yup, this.
...you don't even need the cup of sand from an established setup, but it will save time.

 

Sorry dude, but AWEFUL idea, unnecessary, cruel and expensive.

No reason at all to add that many fish, and zero reason to add dry rock after the cycle and purchase that much LR to start.

Dry sand seeded with a few cups of live sand
mostly dry rock, with a bit of LR
a bacteria booster is a good idea, but unnecessary
a dead raw shrimp, or fish food will keep the cycle going fin
and why the fish? the LFS won't give ya full credit back for them, and that many should create a spike that may stall the cycle. And the ammonia spike will burn their gills and create issues

OP, a good cycle that will help your tank is slow and takes 4-8 weeks. Fish should only be added after for ammonia and nitrite zeroes out, then 1-2 fish every few weeks at most. Doing it this way will help prevent new tank syndrome, and fish loss.

IMO