Fish finder
New member
I'm setting up my first tank. Adding live sand and dry live rock. Do I need to go to the LFS and get some wet rock from them or am I good to go?
First tank
- Thread starter Fish finder
- Start date
inthedeep2
Member
best thing is to try and find a local reefer to buy some mature rock from. you don't need a huge amount.
Ron Reefman
Active member
You can even just do the dry rock and your tank will cycle anyway. It just takes a bit longer. The necessary bacteria that your tank needs to do the cycle will find a way to get started. And taking it slow is a very good habit to develop right from the start. There is an old saying around here that goes, "Nothing good happens quickly in a marine aquarium!"
This can be a very confusing and even frustrating hobby as there are so many different routes to the same end point of a nice reef tank. So questions are always a good thing. Most of us here that try to help do so because we used to be just like you and now we want to try and make this easier for you to learn than it was for us.
This can be a very confusing and even frustrating hobby as there are so many different routes to the same end point of a nice reef tank. So questions are always a good thing. Most of us here that try to help do so because we used to be just like you and now we want to try and make this easier for you to learn than it was for us.
scooter31707
New member
I agree, you don't have to add live rock.
I looked on craigslist for someone dismantling their tank after getting out of the hobby. If you're just starting out, that can produce some inexpensive established rock. Just be careful it doesn't come with pests like Aptasia. If you're in PA I can give you a piece of mine in exchange for a piece of your dry rock 
My tank will grow all over a dry piece pretty quick.
My tank will grow all over a dry piece pretty quick.Fish finder
New member
Thanks for the help everyone. I'm in Melbourne Florida and I don't know anyone with a tank. I've done a lot of reading here and would like to get some connections in the area
Darrell Brady
New member
you can use a bacteria starter to help speed it along. DR Tims has a good one.
stelliofleondis
New member
u don't need live rock it will have undesirable hitchhikers you want to start out with a clean slate you will get coralline from the first frag u add if you must add lr put a tiny piece in the sand away from other rocks and massacre any unwanted hitch hikers 0 mercy!!
Fish finder
New member
What is the best way to make sure that small piece of live rock doesn't have bad critters in it? Is it just taking a risk?
PatW
New member
Using live rock is a bit of a crap shoot. You might end up importing pests of one sort or another. It is also more expensive.
Dry rock has the advantage of being cheaper because you are buying by the pound and you are not paying for water. But dry rock can have nutrients and dried organics in it. As a precaution, you can dump the rock into salt water for several weeks and change it once per week. That should get out the lion's share of phosphates, nitrates, and dried organics.
Some people prefer live rock others prefer dry rock.
Dry rock has the advantage of being cheaper because you are buying by the pound and you are not paying for water. But dry rock can have nutrients and dried organics in it. As a precaution, you can dump the rock into salt water for several weeks and change it once per week. That should get out the lion's share of phosphates, nitrates, and dried organics.
Some people prefer live rock others prefer dry rock.
