Live Sand And Live Rock

[Chazz]

where is a good place to get live sand online.. Not interested in payin 50$ for 20$ (that 20% is probaly still alive after sitting on shel for months) at petco.

 

[Aquascaper]

I wouldn't bother with Live Sand if I was you, any sand will 'seed' after a few weeks if put in a tank with good quality Live Rock.

Save your money and spend it on Live rock

 

[Matthew5664]

could, if I wanted seed sand from my rock in the main tank and then place it in my sump

 

[RoyalGrammaPrincessHannah]

I agree with aquascaper. Just buy aragonite and LR with lots of life on it will soon inhabit the sand.

 

[Matty]

ok, do the 'live parts' on the live rock breed and multiply? or do they just mmove from the live rock to the sand?

 

[crazyelece]

both. There are two different meanings to live rock. Some mean it as having living organisms within the rock that come from the sea where the rock came from such as pods, worms, etc. Others mean live rock to mean it is colonized with nitrifying bacteria that breaks down ammonia through the nitrogen cycle. If you add good quality live rock you should get bacteria and worms, pods, etc. to move into and populate the sand, further helping progress the nitrogen cylce.

 

[Chac]

ok, do the 'live parts' on the live rock breed and multiply? or do they just mmove from the live rock to the sand?

Live Rock definition

Live, or living rock (LR) is basically parts of the coral reef that have been broken off during storms/hurricanes etc. It has laid on the sea bed for weeks, months and in that time the bacteria that colonise the sand & other rocks around the sea bed will begin the find homes in the newly dumped rock, in a short period of time the rock will be teaming with life from mico bacteria - upto some larger inverts (Crabs, etc.)

The Live Rock is then harvested & shipped in this time there is usually massive die off of the larger animals but generally the microscopic colonising bacteria (Ammonia Eaters) will survive mainly because the rock althought out of water will retain (is sealed) its moisture thus sustaining life

The rock is then Cured (simply put it is put into massive tanks where daily water changes & massive skimmers are used to remove the huge amounts of ammonia (from the animal die off) that have accumulated within the rock

IMO Fijian Live Rock is regarded as the most Porus (lightest) & good structal peices but there are many different types, there are also ways of making your own live rock from scratch

Nowadays Live Rock (now containing both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria) is the most commonly used method of Bio Filtration (Coupled with a descent Flow Rate), this is mainly due to the fact that LR requires zero maintenense & does the job of Biofiltration more effectively & safer than any other man made filtration system

Aerobic and Anaerobic bacteria's only job in live is to eat Nitrates & Nitrites & reproduce, not a great existence but well tuff lol

 

[Matty]

so you're saying that you could filter a saltwater aquarium using a sump and live rock only? No bio balls? No fluidized beds? I would still use a skimmer and UV sterilizer, but is that possible?

 

[Chac]

If the LR is of good quality & there is little die of then there wont be much of a cycle anyway, but to answer your question, yes LR only is more than suitable No UV or Skimmer is needed at this stage

 

[Matty]

well, probably not. but if you're keeping sharks and other ultra expensive fish, im sure you're going to evenually want to use a skimmer and UV.

 

[Chac]

well, probably not. but if you're keeping sharks and other ultra expensive fish, im sure you're going to evenually want to use a skimmer and UV.

IMO a UV is a very usefully peice of kit to have

On the other hand I personally think a Skimmer is a MUST for most marine tanks