Episode 58, pt3, LIve Rock and Live Sand in the Reef Tank, L

[Kolenschopper]

Hey Jim, Im just recently enjoying your show from across the atlantic and i have a question.

Why do you care so much about aclimating fish, anamone, etc, but pour the LIVEsand just in?

[lafishguy]

hey K, good question... no one has ever indicated the need to acclimate live sand... and if so why not acclimate the live rock too? typically it arrives with minimal water ( to keep shipping cost down ) so I dont see much difference between acclimating the sand versus just pouring it into the tank.

[Kolenschopper]

@lafishguy

However minimal the amount is, isnt water the key? The sand and rock arent really dry. The life inside needs water, good water.

[lafishguy]

hey K, if you feel it is necessary, go for it. I am sure the 'life' in the sand or rock would benifit from some form of acclimation. most live sands these days are man-made 'bio-activated' and aside from the sand only contain chemical bacterias ( no other real 'life') and live rock has been shipped dry so the sooner it gets in water the better it is, although a good rinsing will eliminate introducing un-needed debri into the tank.

[BoY860]

It also looks more natural and in my opinion better with rock deep in the sand

[Chambss88]

Hey Jim, i was wondering should i worry about the bottom of the tank cracking with the weight of live rock directly on it as oppose to being on the sand? I am in the process of setting up a 100g reef aquarium and find your videos full of useful info! cheers

[lafishguy]

hey C, I feel its best to place the rock on the bottom of the tank, thats bedrock, and then put the sand in around it. placing it on the sand is not very sturdy and over time the rock will settle in the sand causing the rocks to shift. as to one or the other being too heavy its not a problem, just be careful placing the rock in the tank.

[TrulyRighteous]

Thanks I was about to set up first salt water tank and I was going to put the sand in first thanks for the tip

[pblomgren]

Is there a rule of thumb as to how much live rock you would need in a tank? In regards to the bacteria culture to properly filter etc.?

[lafishguy]

hey P, it use to be 3 to 5 lbs of Live Rock per gallon of water, but it reallt depends on how you want it to look.

[xDAVMANx]

You ARE the man 5/5

[FarRightFred]

can you tell me how much sand you used? My 100 gallon 4x2x2 tank came with 60lb of sand but it doesn't seem enough. Some people I have asked say its too much, other say its too little! I will have 53kg of live rock if that's any help

thanks!

[lafishguy]

hey F, vaugely recall adding 80 pounds. as to how much it all depends on what you are trying to accomplish. if its representation of the bottom 1/2 inch will do, if you have burrowers 2 inches or more may be better.

[FarRightFred]

@lafishguy hey thanks for the reply! I think I will order a bit more. I don't have to use all of it but its best to have it just in case! I am from London BTW and absolutely love your videos. I have watched all of them and waiting for the next instalment!

[pizcobabe]

Hey jim, I was just curious but if you wanted to eliminate a lot of noise, do you think lining the inside of stand where all the equipment for the tank is with carpet would work? It sounds silly but my neighbor does that in his garage to play his drums, and you can hardly hear a thing. It would be an easy and cheap way to eliminate noise. The only thing I could think that would be a problem would be it might also trap a lot of heat, causing things to overheat. Let me know if you try it. 5/5 vid

[lafishguy]

hey P, noise is a funny issue. its always louder than what you expect. placing the pump on an old mouse pad sometimes works. i have seen some people go to extremes, lining the cabinet is one method. be sure to allow for some venting.

[I2eapz]

cal lvl of 640 wouldnt that kill the live rock ect

[lafishguy]

hey I, that is high but it should not kill the Live Rock

[TheBuddy562]

hey jim i would like to know your opinion on aqua cultured rock and make it live

[lafishguy]

hey B, honestly, i dont have an opinion. i just sell the wild stuff... and thats not that impressive anymore.

[FishCollecter]

thanks for all your help by making these videos and making the book suggestion. The book you suggested cost 35$ but it will be far more worth than having a crappy aquarium. I have a question about how many pounds of live sand i would need for a 55 gallon saltwater tank? 5/5 *

[lafishguy]

hey F, buy the book as there are many approaches to the use of sand.

[FishCollecter]

also what does the protein skimmer do? ill also rate 5 star if u answer plesae and thankyou! ps great vids i love them

[lafishguy]

hey F, through heavy aeration it drives out organic componds. i really think you would be better off with a good book.

[Benno828282]

Is it a good idea to put egg crate on the bottom before the rocks, i've heard rock's sharper points can crack the glass on the bottom.

[RAmenFSM]

It won't hurt, but isn't necessary. The tank in the video is acrylic, so it won't crack. Glass is very strong too though, and you aren't going to generate enough force with just rocks to break it, especially when they're submerged.

[gbangerau]

i hope old mate signed a model release.. haha

[saltwaterfishguy427]

i love your vids so much espically this series of this reef tank its so exciting awesome

[crabsyman]

It's ridiculous that America can't make make an Iwaki as good as the Japanese version. Same pump, same company, but definitely a difference. Unbelievable!

[dennisdeng2002]

The reason the American version isn't as good is because Iwaki chooses a cheap economical motor in order to appeal to people who don't want to spend as much. There are quality american motors, such as Baldor motors, that are just as good if not better than the Iwaki Japanese motors, but pricewise they might be the same or more. That being said I only run Jap Iwaki's. :)

[LeahcimWolf]

I just stumbled upon your videos last night, and I've pretty much been up all night watching as many as I can. They are incredibly instructive videos. Over the last few months I've been reading as much as I can (going to start my own reef tank soon) and this video has allowed the things I have read to have visuals associated with them and it will help a lot.

Thank you very much for the time you spent making these.

Looking forward to the continuance of this series.

[mulvaney81]

Hay Jim,

At present I have no corals in the aquarium.. but You make a good point, I certainly dont want to limit my options for corals later on .

Thanks for the heads up ;-)

[mulvaney81]

Thanks Jim,

I think I'll flip a piece over and see if it survives under my lights, if it dies off then I'll look at getting less powerful bulbs maybe.

[lafishguy]

hey M, dont sacrafice the corals by decreasing the lights to achieve coraline algae growth.

[mulvaney81]

Hay Jim,

I put 15 kg of cured live rock in my 40gallon over six weeks ago and now it seams to have lost its colour, in some places it looks white in colour on top.. yet underneath its overwhelmingly producing red /pink /maroon Caroline algae.

Do you think it could be my lights?

I have a two strip daylight plus 55watt power compact & a 55watt antic blue power compact on the system.

the tank is 15'' top to bottom... Thanks for any tips ;-)

[lafishguy]

hey M, it is quite possible that the coraline algae does not like the strong light. no need to worry though. if you wish to encourage the coraline start adding Strontium, but be careful for what you wish for ... it may really grow :)

[KB3LZV]

Is there a video on adding the fish and other living things? Besides the rock

[lafishguy]

hey K, within time there will be.