Setting up 120gal tank this weekend question about dry rock and live sand

[Enavin]

Is there a preferred style or type of dry rock out there? From what I have gathered it seems to boil down to personal preference.

Just curious as I've been looking into stocking up this weekend. There are a few LFS around me that have a few different types.

Also, I have access to about 40 lbs of dead sand that my father didn't end up using in his setup. Would it be a good idea to buy a 20lb bag of live sand and use the remaining 25lbs I need to make up my sand bed as dead sand? ( Looking to save some money here ) I known I can cycle with just dead sand, but I figured the live may help the process out.

I don't plan on using live rock and I anticipate my cycle time to take around 2 months. ( It just means the wife and I will be choosing a hearty fish or two for our Christmas presents )

Thanks!

 

[rocsec1]

Reef cleaners has great dry rock. The sand would be fine just remember to rinse it clean along with the rock. You can buy a couple of pieces from your local fish store and add it to the tank. That will add the start life you need or you can buy it in a bottle and add once you temp and salinity are correct.

 

[Enavin]

Ok cool, so an additive like bio-spira is what you're referring to correct?
I will probably go this route. I kind of like the idea of starting with an "all dead" sand / rock start up and letting the bacteria take root as they please. I'm a bit unnerved about potentially adding anything that could prove to introduce pests so if I can prevent it I'd prefer to :spin1:

I'll have a small QT setup as well for fish and corals before they are added I figure starting out on the paranoid side in the beginning may keep me from wanting to nuke and start over if I should get pests early on.

 

[Buddy55]

Getting a seed rock or sand from a trusted source is the route I did and would take.

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[Grimreaperz]

You may need a bit more sand then 80lbs if you want a decent sand bed. I put 40lbs of live caribsea sand in my 36g and wish I put 10lbs more. There is a calculator on here for calculating how much sand you will need roughly. And to get the most surface area out of your rock what ever you decide put eggcrate in the sand bed to lift the rock out of the bed. That way half your rocks isn't buried. As far type. Most people refer this stuff as it is light, porous and easy to work with and drill shape how you want http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-pukani-dry-live-rock-sold-by-the-pound.html. with pukani you get more surface area per lbs. Wishing I went this route live and learn lol!

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[Enavin]

Getting a seed rock or sand from a trusted source is the route I did and would take.

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Excellent, that was what my plan was as far as seeding goes

 

[Enavin]

You may need a bit more sand then 80lbs if you want a decent sand bed. I put 40lbs of live caribsea sand in my 36g and wish I put 10lbs more. There is a calculator on here for calculating how much sand you will need roughly. And to get the most surface area out of your rock what ever you decide put eggcrate in the sand bed to lift the rock out of the bed. That way half your rocks isn't buried. As far type. Most people refer this stuff as it is light, porous and easy to work with and drill shape how you want http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-pukani-dry-live-rock-sold-by-the-pound.html. with pukani you get more surface area per lbs. Wishing I went this route live and learn lol!

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After using a calculator for a 1" deep sand bed its roughly 46 lbs. My father has a good bit of left over dead sand ( about 60 lbs worth ) from his tank. It is the carib sea special reef grade fiji pink? .. I believe.. Either way, I like the look of the sand and the size of the grains.

I appreciate the rock suggestion I actually like the appearance of that style rock. I've seen it in tanks and just didn't know the name for the type

 

[Grimreaperz]

After using a calculator for a 1" deep sand bed its roughly 46 lbs. My father has a good bit of left over dead sand ( about 60 lbs worth ) from his tank. It is the carib sea special reef grade fiji pink? .. I believe.. Either way, I like the look of the sand and the size of the grains.

I appreciate the rock suggestion I actually like the appearance of that style rock. I've seen it in tanks and just didn't know the name for the type

Glad I could help. There is also Fiji Dry rock but it's more dense so don't get as much bang for your buck

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[rtparty]

I highly suggest you watch Bulk Reef Supply's videos on YouTube. One is dedicated to rock choice and you will learn a ton to help

 

[Ranchhand02]

I also suggest checking out bulk reef supply. I watched their 52 weeks of reefing and I learned a lot.

 

[Enavin]

I highly suggest you watch Bulk Reef Supply's videos on YouTube. One is dedicated to rock choice and you will learn a ton to help

Already have - they're actually a pretty great foundation to start building off of. They're actually a part of what convinced my wife and I to make the jump for a salt water aquarium. We were looking for something to put in our new home that both of us could appreciate and enjoy. Though its required some research and education on our parts, we can both enjoy it and get the kid(s) involved as they grow.

Unless something dire happens we plan to have this our tank setup, or expand on it, for several years to come.