Help

[Dano]

hi there, im new the world of reef tanks and im trying to get set up as we speak. i've got a rena 150x50 tank second hand which had tropical fish in before. i've cleaned it all out and changed the filters ect but it came with loads of coral sand already in it. what i'd like to know is if i wash the sand will i be able to use it again in a marine tank? i want to know because i dont have much money to spend, but im still trying to get the best equiptment as possible and dont want to buy new sand if the stuff i've got is ok. also does anyone know a way of calculating the amount of live rock needed for a tank of my size? [/size]

 

[phyto]

hi there, im new the world of reef tanks and im trying to get set up as we speak. i've got a rena 150x50 tank second hand which had tropical fish in before. i've cleaned it all out and changed the filters ect but it came with loads of coral sand already in it. what i'd like to know is if i wash the sand will i be able to use it again in a marine tank? i want to know because i dont have much money to spend, but im still trying to get the best equiptment as possible and dont want to buy new sand if the stuff i've got is ok. also does anyone know a way of calculating the amount of live rock needed for a tank of my size? [/size]

I'm also quite new to marine but from info i've gathered over the last few years i'd try and start with a new substrate, it does suck up quite a bit of detritus. In an ideal world i'd change most of the sand for new but add some of the old to 'seed' it. I guess you'd be ok but maybe old sand could turn out to be a PITA later?

 

[Dano]

hi there, im new the world of reef tanks and im trying to get set up as we speak. i've got a rena 150x50 tank second hand which had tropical fish in before. i've cleaned it all out and changed the filters ect but it came with loads of coral sand already in it. what i'd like to know is if i wash the sand will i be able to use it again in a marine tank? i want to know because i dont have much money to spend, but im still trying to get the best equiptment as possible and dont want to buy new sand if the stuff i've got is ok. also does anyone know a way of calculating the amount of live rock needed for a tank of my size? [/size]

I'm also quite new to marine but from info i've gathered over the last few years i'd try and start with a new substrate, it does suck up quite a bit of detritus. In an ideal world i'd change most of the sand for new but add some of the old to 'seed' it. I guess you'd be ok but maybe old sand could turn out to be a PITA later?

i think you're right, i just wanted to keep enough cash for the live rock. still, no point in getting all the best gear and end up killing the fish with bad sand. thanks for the info.

 

[SkiFletch]

I wouldn't use it. Crushed coral isn't the greatest substrate, is very difficult to keep clean, and limits your selection of fish in the long run. Also, if it's second hand it's tough to know if there's an aragonite component to it or not. Aragonite sand (or aragonite crushed coral) will help buffer your tank and keep your pH where it needs to be. Knowing all that, I'd go with an aragonite sand if I were you. Its really not that expensive. Dont bother with Live Sand, its a waste of money compared with the value you get out of live rock. You're going to want at least 1lbs of LR per gallon and if you can afford it, go for more

 

[DXG]

That's a big tank on a tight budget.

Sorry to be frank, but the cost of sand should be the least of your worries. General rule for live rock is around 1.5 lbs per gallon.

At £10+ per kilo, you'll be spending in excess of £600 on rock alone. You need to consider a good sized skimmer plus something to move the water around.

Think in the region of £1000 plus without corals, fish and lights.

There are cheaper ways to start on, but why bother if you never like the end result ?

How do I know all this ? - I've got the same tank and thought it wouldn't cost much 12 months ago. My credit card has stacked up £2000 since then.

 

[phyto]

hi there, im new the world of reef tanks and im trying to get set up as we speak. i've got a rena 150x50 tank second hand which had tropical fish in before. i've cleaned it all out and changed the filters ect but it came with loads of coral sand already in it. what i'd like to know is if i wash the sand will i be able to use it again in a marine tank? i want to know because i dont have much money to spend, but im still trying to get the best equiptment as possible and dont want to buy new sand if the stuff i've got is ok. also does anyone know a way of calculating the amount of live rock needed for a tank of my size? [/size]

I'm also quite new to marine but from info i've gathered over the last few years i'd try and start with a new substrate, it does suck up quite a bit of detritus. In an ideal world i'd change most of the sand for new but add some of the old to 'seed' it. I guess you'd be ok but maybe old sand could turn out to be a PITA later?

i think you're right, i just wanted to keep enough cash for the live rock. still, no point in getting all the best gear and end up killing the fish with bad sand. thanks for the info.

Lr is a killer
but worth every penny/cent !!

 

[DXG]

I agree, I'm glad that I've spent all that money - I love my tank.

I just think it's important that anyone thinking of setting up a SW tank should understand how expensive it is and accept that cheap short cuts in the beginng will only cost more further down the line.

 

[phyto]

I agree, I'm glad that I've spent all that money - I love my tank.

I just think it's important that anyone thinking of setting up a SW tank should understand how expensive it is and accept that cheap short cuts in the beginng will only cost more further down the line.

Your not wrong about the cost, my grand has doubled and nearly on its way for a hat trick I also love it

I agree, I'm glad that I've spent all that money - I love my tank.

I just think it's important that anyone thinking of setting up a SW tank should understand how expensive it is and accept that cheap short cuts in the beginng will only cost more further down the line.

Your not wrong about the cost, my grand has doubled and nearly on its way for a hat trick I also love it

Maybe not 3k but over 2