New Tank Setup

I am trying to start up a new saltwater tank and would love for some great advice that i just cant get by reading around. I have a 90 gallon drilled tank with a cpr backpack skimmer, aqueon sump model 3, and an aqua c urchin (in the sump) skimmer. I am trying to figure out how i should go about starting up the tank as it is just sitting in the living room completely dry and empty. I would like to take a cheap route but also want to have a good system. I was thinking of adding 100 pounds of dry key largo rock from marco rocks. I also want to do a deep sand bed. I dont really want to have dirty sand that has to be gravel vaccumed alot. Any suggestions on a kind of sand that would work good and look great? Grain size? How much sand? Is my tank setup even good enough for a deep sand bed? What about cycling and seeding the rock? How should i go about putting the rock and sand in?

 

Welcome to 3reef.

Personally I like aragonate sand.

With a deep sand bed you want to avoid vacuuming, as that defeats the purpose of a DSB.

You can use the typical sand sifter clean up crew to stir the upper most layer. I would look at Reefcleaners.org for more detailed information regarding the specific types and amount of inverts you will need for that size of tank.

If you go with a DSB I would stay away from any crushed coral or sugar fine sand.

Going with dry rock is excellent, no unwanted pests. You can simply cycle the tank and rock at the same time. There are a number of ways to cycle but all take patience and no live stock should be added until you have no detectable ammonia or nitrites.

To completely cycle a tank with dry rock expect the cycle to take 6-8 weeks.
You can added raw shrimp to provide a source of decay which will start the nitrogen cycle and then ghost feed to keep the beneficial bacteria growing.

There are also bottled bacteria you can purchase but you still need to make sure you have a competent biological filter before stocking the tank. Stocking slowly is always advised regardless of the method you choose to cycle the tank.

 

So when do i add the sand if im going to go with a dsb? Do i need a refugium?

 

Prior to adding the rock if you want a deep sand bed.

Why specifically do you want a deep sand bed?

If you are adding a sump you can have the benefits of a deep sand bed without it being in the display.

A refugium is much like a sump, but with macro algae, most people today consider them one in the same. Typically a refugium used to mean a volume of water separate from the main display that allowed for the growth of algae and small inverts. A sump allows you a place for a skimmer and other common means of filtration, dosers or reactors.

 

well ive seen and been reading up on dsb's and thought that it would be a good thing due to all of the beneficial factors. And i dont want to have to worry about gravel vaccuming. But on the other hand, are you saying i can put the dsb in the sump? Thats why i was wondering about getting a refugium. I dont think i can put a dsb in the sump i currently have but i dont really know for sure. It is an aqueon megaflow model 3 sump if you know anything about that model. But if im doing the dsb in the display tank, do i put it in before i cycle the tank? Should i use live aragonite sand?

 

Well ive pretty much figured this out I think.. would like to know your opinion on...

140lbs of pure white Bahamian aragonite sand
40lbs Live Sand
(This should make a 4" to 5" dsb)
100lbs of key largo dry rock

If that all sounds good my only other issue is how to seed the dry rock... will the Live Sand be sufficient enough to do this? Or should I get a little piece of live rock? What about "detritovore" or "recharge" kits?

 

Small piece of live rock would help but sand if live would also do the trick. IMO I'd get the rock. 8)

 

Would you recommend any specific type of live rock?

 

If you have a friend or a LFS close by with a well established tank, I'd say get it off them. There's not really no one specific kind of live rock unless its from different areas in the world or home made.

 

Ok thanks! And while I'm at it should I try to get a cup or so of their sand?