dead rock...

[thedirtboys]

Hello all,

I'm going to be setting up a new tank (I'm thinking of getting a 29 gal Biocube). I have about 50lbs of dead rock (used to be live but alas, no more). I will be getting the bagged live sand to throw in there (Caribsea I'm thinking...) and am wondering if the dead rock will become live rock givin enough time alone with the live sand. If that won't work, should I go to the LFS and get a piece of live rock to help jumpstart the process? Should I get a cheap damsel to help with the cycling? What's the best way to go about this?

Other things to consider...

29gal Biocube or 24gal Nano Cube... I haven't bought it yet and I've found good deals on both

What kind of corals would I be missing out on if I didn't go with metal halides?

How many fish can comfortably fit into a 24/29gal tank anyway?

Thanks for your two cents... If I ever make up my mind I'll let you know how I go about it, maybe even a picture if you're lucky

 

[drummereef]

I would stay away from the "live sand in a bag". I used that stuff once and it's an ammonia mess in there. The better way to go would be to do dry aragonite sand and seed it with a few cups of real live sand, preferably from a reefer friends tank. A piece of live rock from your LFS would help to establish the base rock indeed. No need for fish for the cycle. The rock and sand will be enough to get you started.



and welcome to RC!


<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

 

[PRDubois]

Do not use live fish to cycle.
Put 3 raw shrimp in a nylon stocking and you will see your spikes very soon. Should cycle in 2 or 3 weeks.
I would get one or two pieces of LR that have lots of coraline on then to seed the rest.

I would go with the 29 Bio
With the Stock lights you can grow all soft corals and some low light hard corals.
Probally can get 5 to 6 fish in ether depending on the fish.

 

[jewcy240]

to start i have a 24 nano cube and love it, as for the dead rock yes it will become alive again and i'd buy a some live rock to speed it up. You don't need a cheap fish but that would speed things up to, i woulden't but a fish i woulden't want later.I'd only keep 2 or 3 fish depending on there size in a nano, hope this helps and good luck.