New member looking for help

[Guest Ocean Arcade]

gonna have to second jason on the vho's... from what i've seen they do a much better job at bringing out the colors in your tank. perhaps a t5 vho combo.

 

 

This is why I joined this group. This is only my second tank build, and my need some upgrades after I find out more about the hobby.

 

I plumbed the return lines today and am working with my brother on the lines from the "submarine room" up to the tank.

 

If anyone wants to check it out, call me 703 407 8663 and swing by tomorrow between 10 am and 4 pm, we will be in the arcade.

 

Jeff

[Guest Ocean Arcade]

Carl came by today as we filled up the tank for the first time to check the tank and plumbing for leaks. We plan on running the tap water for a few days to check everything before filling with the RODI. We still need to get the skimmers etc hooked in.

 

Where is the best place to get the sand and Live rock?

 

I plan on using 1000 pounds of rock.

 

Should I add all the rock at once? Should it all be from one source?

 

For aquascaping purposes I would like to have all the rock at once to be able to select from. I would also prefer very craggy and some very large bridging pieces, perhaps some natural cave pieces as well.

 

Call me on my cell to see if I am around if you want to swing by.

 

Thanks

 

Jeff

Ocean Arcade

[dbartco]

Dr. Mac has some pretty good large rock peices that might be worth a drive up there to get. Less of a cycle needed it you go get it, plus he may make you a deal, and has a discount of future inverts etc. Some of the local guys can get some good peices as well. You may want to use some dry base rock underneath. Marco Rocks, and reeferrocks have some good deal with dry, then you can seed it on top with real liverock. Will save you a ton. A single source of the live sometimes helps things look a little more uniform though.

[Rascal]

Single type will look the most natural, but might limit your aquascaping somewhat, depending on what you want to do.

 

Another thing to think about is that multiple sources, from different stores and different systems, will give you the maximum biodiversity in your system.

[Guest NSC]

I agree with Rascal on biodiversity however marcorocks.com seems to be the best bang for the buck with the addition of some local live to seed the system. Also the dry rocks give you the opportunity to "pre-aquascape" before it hits the tank eliminating the obsession with plagues most folks suffer through in this hobby to re-aquascape the tank and with a tank your size making on-the-fly adjustments a virtual weekend event. I have heard rave reviews from marcorocks but have no personal experience, but I tend to believe the forum junkies as they more quick to flame a spot then to be diplomatic and the reviews have all been outstanding on these dry rocks with an outstanding customer service that will even send pics of your pieces to you to see if they fit your needs. In addition the bio-diversity can also be achieved with the tremendous amount of live sand you will need to create a 1" sand bed in the display, most members would offer sand easily or for a low price compared to retailers to get you started.

[flowerseller]

Where is the best place to get the sand and Live rock?

I plan on using 1000 pounds of rock.

Should I add all the rock at once? Should it all be from one source?

If you want big live pieces of rock, Roozens, Tropical Lagoon.

Call and ask how much they have and either will get you any you want.

 

Cycling the rock will be another story.

Sounds like a really nice house that's likely going to smell bad for about three days.

 

What cross streets in FC are you.

[lanman]

If you want big live pieces of rock, Roozens, Tropical Lagoon.

Call and ask how much they have and either will get you any you want.

 

Cycling the rock will be another story.

Sounds like a really nice house that's likely going to smell bad for about three days.

 

What cross streets in FC are you.

Geeez... hadn't thought about that. My 24-gallon nano with 30 pounds of very fresh live rock in it smelled so bad the indoor cat started living outdoors, and my kids started staying with friends a lot during the cycle. 1,000 pounds of that would have the neighbors calling the police to look for dead bodies.

 

I like the idea of building a base of dry rocks before you put in the live rock. But if you put in say 500 pounds of dry rocks, and then get the tank up and running - and add 100 or 200 pounds of live rock; how long will it be before you have 700 pounds worth of natural filtration? This is not an entirely hypothetical question, he says (as he goes off to cut more boards for the stand of his 240).

 

bob

[jamesbuf]

It all depends on your budget. I would definitely go to Roozens or Dr.Mac to get a couple very large pieces to start with. I know Roozens has quite a few extra large pieces, but Dr.Macs is much cheaper. I'd call Dr. Mac before you drove all the way out there to make sure they have some 50lb+ pieces in stock. I've heard nothing but good things from the rock that Dr.Mac has. Roozen's rock doesn't really have much life still left on it.

 

If you want the best rock, and can afford to splurge a little, I would contact http://www.premiumaquaticslive.com/index.a...D&ProdID=31

$5.25/lb is about the best deal you're going to get on Marshall Island rock. I know people who have contacted them and requested large pieces and were very happy with their purchases.

 

After getting a few XL "live" pieces from the places above, I'd contact marcorocks.com to see about getting some base rock to mix in. It will definitely save you some money. Marcorocks had an ebay auction a few months back where you bought an entire crate, about 500lbs worth, of base rock for only $500 or so. Add in the $200 for shipping and you're still only looking at less than $1.50/lb. I'd contact them to see if they would still honor that deal.

 

Either way, best of luck. Hope this helps. Keep the questions coming if you have any.

[zotzer]

One thing to keep in mind...dry base rock weighs a lot less than dry rock, so you need less poundage.

Tracy