live sand vs live rock

I have a 30 gal tank with 35lbs of live sand in it, I am startign to get alge on the sides, my 40lbs of live rock is still not here. I am curious if i can get my cleaners with out my live rock for now and get the tank clean?

 

is the tank cycled?

 

Yes it is

 

Well the shrimp would probably like to hide; IMO you should wait for the LR to come. they'd probably feel more comfortable too, but thats just me

 

i am seriously no expert but couldn't help but notice you said your tank was cycled, i viewed your other thread which stated you had ordered the live sand and rock on december 31,
and since today is the 12, thats 12 days, i don't know when you got the sand in the tank, but i'm gonna guess and say you got it in the 2nd cuz the first was a holiday no mail. and the second was a sunday so no mail again, so that means the third. which means your tanks been running for nine days, with only live sand and no live rock, again i am no expert but would differ that your tank has already cycled in 9 days using only sand.

 

I would wait til you get the rock in for two reasons. First so you don't crush the cuc with the rock and secondly a tank with just sand can not be considered cycled imo. Denitrification takes place deep in the rock and unless you have a dsb the second part of the cycle can't be completed without the algae. Once you add the rock you will have die off and cycle again.

 

What are your parameters?
Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.

 

Unless he purchased base rock.

 

Wait till LR to come

But how is the tank cycled? did you remove LR and stuff or what?

Because it would take a REALLLY long time to cycle a tank with just sand..Not even sure if its possible. What are your params?

 

Well my tank cycled with just sand and 2" of water. I was waiting for my sump/overflow set up to get finished. Sand sat for about 5 weeks and once sump/overflow was finished I added base rock and a dead shrimp and 2 weeks after that shirmp was completely decomposed and no nitrates. So total of about 7 weeks, 5 just sand and 2 with sand, br, and a shrimp. Me personally, I would wait till you got your rock, wait a week or 2 and test and see if its going through a cycle. I'm curious, are you running your lights? I'm curious how algae is growing, I thought it needed light...