Live sand and live rock HELP new set up after take down

[bwitchn]

Is it still a good idea to start a tank with live sand and live rock? I have to start my new tabk again. I had an innovative marine 20 gallon. Worse tank I have ever had. Major Dino and hair algae problems. Could not control. Did everything. Lights out. Increased pH. Added kalk. Nothing. Grows out of control. Im starting a new JBJ 45 gallon. Should i use live sand and rock? I know bot to transfer over anything from the other tank. Suggestions?

 

[mcgyvr]

Live rock/live sand can help cycle a tank quicker (if at all depending on "how live" it really is)..
Live rock/live sand also has the potential to introduce "non-desirable" hitchhikers/algae, etc...

Choice is yours..

 

[bwitchn]

What do you recommend?

 

[thegrun]

I prefer dry rock and definitely dry sand

 

[scooter31707]

It's your decision, if you want to take the chance of getting hitchhikers with live rock.

 

[mcgyvr]

What do you recommend?

Well... My personal choice is to use dry sand and dry rock unless I get a deal or hit the jackpot and can do something from tampa bay saltwater...

BUT... I always do tanks with corals and in doing so bring pods/brittle stars,etc.. over into the tank from those frags..

If I was doing fish only I would start with good quality live rock and dry sand..

I will not use "live sand" that you can buy at Petco/Amazon,etc...
From my experience "live sand" while it does potentially contain some beneficial bacteria already it also has LOADS of dead/decaying matter and IMO causes more/longer/bigger issues with diatoms/cyano,etc.. due to the dead material in it..

 

[bwitchn]

Thanks. All the responses make good points.