Seeding DSB

[Cal1089]

Hey guys I just put a Deep Sand Bed into my tank and was curious if anyone would be willing to help me with a scoop or two of their sand to help seed it. Also anyone have any ideas where I can locate some detritivores at decent prices besides the internet?


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[smoothdog]

It's a trade off, internet will have the best prices but you'll have to buy a bunch to make shipping worth it. Local stores will be higher but you can just grab a handful of what you need.

 

[clevername]

In the past iv gone to every local fish store and asked for a scoop of sand. Of course i bought some fish from them....

only one store was confused why i wanted sand. I was confused why they were confused. Anyway, or ask here!

My tank is young otherwise i would offer myself but i have tons of copepods if you want some.

 

[Cal1089]

Hey thanks I actually won some copepods at the swap so I'll see how they do! That's a good idea except I am always worried about ich and would hate to get some from some sand


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[nicoleah]

AlgaeBarn does a Bogo on your first order of copepods. Indo-Pacific Sea Farms has a worthwhile live sand activator kit but the shipping cost is definitely high.

 

[clevername]

I would also recommend feeding all the small crittters.

This is a must to keep larger numbers going. After 4 months (the age of my new tank) its INSANE how many bugs i have. I did have the tank fishless for 5 weeks JUST to make sure no ick was introduced.

 

[Cal1089]

Where did you get that from? I have some Ocean magic I won.... do you turn off protein skimmer how often you feed? Did you introduce the bugs or did they just appear


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[clevername]

so i talked to the local store (which they have this) and there are two versions. The fresh and the concentrated. The concentrated is just that BUT it can last a LONG time in the fridge.

Lasty the owner said he talks to the manufacture which (behind the scenes) they say DONT follow the directions. Way too much. Which is good news, because it will last longer.
So to answer your question i do about a table spoon (in a small turkey baster) and squirt some in the bottom of my refugium, which is low flow. That's it.

I do it a couple times a week up to four times.

When the tank was fishless the bugs made it to the display, and i kid you not.... the glass looked like someone salted the glass. Tons of bugs including mysis shrimp (no idea how they got in).

 

[Cal1089]

What about the protein skimmer? Do you run that still or do you turn that off?


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[clevername]

Also, i did buy a "bag o bugs" and got some live rock at the VERY bottom of the stores tub. Meaning it had visible worms and im sure tons of junk (just about 8 pounds worth). Like i said, im all about doing a sand swap with the group

 

[Cal1089]

Might I ask what store you went to to get your bag o bugs? I have a deep sand bed and I really would like to kick start it as I don't think I had the best live rock to begin with. Tank is about 2 months old and I don't want to let the bed go lifeless for too long.... sand was added about 5 days ago


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[clevername]

i cant remember actually, i will have to get back to you on that. It was an online store when i bought some snails and couple emerald crabs. I did buy some chaeto too.

Figure if im going to pay for the high shipping for snails might as well add some other stuff.

But i did buy local from seascapes studio some Tisbe Copepods, for 18$ kinda expensive....but i do have a ton. I would call to make sure they have some Tisbe Copepods in stock. super nice people there.
They also have cheato too (if ready to harvest)