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

Lets add some Live Rock and Live Sand in the fifty eigth episode of LA Fishguys as Jim Stime of Aquarium Design in Thousand Oaks CALIF., picks up Live Rock and Live Sand from the fish wholeaslers and adds it to a 100 gallon coral reef tank.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Live Rock
• Sand
• LA Fishguy

[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.

[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.

[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. :)

[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!

[BoY860]

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

[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

[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.

[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.?