setting up new 10 gallon tank...?

im setting up a new tank and was wondering if i had natures ocean live sand straight from the ocean and real ocean water if it would cycle faster and i could add corals faster. it will be all ocean supplies. think it will work?

 

It might work. I don't know how much nitrifying bacteria you'll get in a few cups of beach sand vs a live rock, but it might work.

You would be better off seeing if you can find another local reefer that could give you a cup or two of sand from their DT or refugium. That way you know there's a lot of beneficial bacteria.

 

Water does not carry enough beneficial bacteria to promote a cycle. Live sand from the beach may carry any number of parasites.

I have set up temporary tanks from the beach but they were never intended for a tropical reef or fish tank. If you intend to keep local fish and inverts from a temperate zone you need to consider the water temperature to that area.

There are a number of products on the market that can increase the cycle time. Instant tanks probably fail more often than any other system.

If you know how to soft cycle and use only live fully cured rock you increase your chances of success.

 

i do have 6 lbs of live rock in my other tank that i plan to be putting in the 10 if that helps. im just tired of fowlr tank and ive tried lps but cant keep them alive at all. i dont really like softies all that much either except the toadstool leather. all i want to keep is frogspawn and hammer mainly.

 

If you're transferring a cycled live rock, then I don't think the extra week or so that using beach sand will cut off your cycle is worth it. Start with fresh substrate and the live rock.

 

what do u mean by fresh? i planned on using the nature's ocean live sand. will this not be good?

 

Sorry, wasn't familiar with the product and thought from your first post that your were taking sand from the ocean to your aquarium.

Yes, that product and your cycled live rock should work fine. It will shorten your cycle, but I would be careful about claims of an "instant" cycle.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

Well ok then I am a little confused as well. Nature's ocean live sand is a product, then it's all good.

 

Me too. Looked it up quick on the net to make sure I knew what I was talking about.

 

no need to be sorry, i was the one confusing people. thanks for the advice.