Live Rock and Live Sand

gdwb10101 · 04-15-2006, 09:13 PM

I figured that more people read this general forum than the beginner forum, so i wanted to post my topic here also.

(I was looking at the prices of live rock and live sand today to put in my new 55 gallon aquarium and realized how expensive it is! So i was walking the dog when it hit me, since i live in miami, go to the ocean and get some live rock and live sand. This may sound stupid, but is it possible to do this? Any there any dangers or problems with doing this, because I dont see people readily going to the ocean and bringing back sand and rock for their aquarium, they just buy from LFS. Let me know.)

mrpotato · 04-16-2006, 12:58 AM

Er, i think that might be illegal. I know for sure removing coral is illegal.

Reefneck · 04-16-2006, 05:11 AM

It is definately Illegal!!

gdwb10101 · 04-16-2006, 08:48 AM

I was reading a book for confirmation and it is illegal to take live rock, but im not so sure about live sand. What do you think? Whould it be easier to mix 50% live sand w/ 50% aragonite and just pay for the live rock or try to get some on my own?

leveldrummer · 04-16-2006, 11:53 AM

it would be just as easy to put regular sand, and only live rock, take your time with the tank, the sand will become live sand after a while with just the rock in there.

gdwb10101 · 04-16-2006, 06:49 PM

thanks. I think it would be best to spend a little more on a better live rock and less on the sand. But because most people always combine live rock and live sand together, it seemed as if you could use them together or not at all. Thanks a bunch!

leveldrummer · 04-16-2006, 06:52 PM

no, most people use both to get as much good bacteria and pods in their tank at once, but if your patient, the rock will "seed" the sand, and eventually it becomes live sand. and you save lots of money.

**Fishfirst** · 04-16-2006, 08:52 PM

also, you don't have to go with all "live sand" you can go with a pound or two to get your base sand "live"

gdwb10101 · 04-16-2006, 09:16 PM

question. I bought this book on marine aquariums and it said that if your sand is dead, you put it in the tank before you add water, if its alive, you put it in with water in the tank. If I was gonna use some live sand, should I put it on top of the dead sand with the water inside or what?

leveldrummer · 04-16-2006, 10:45 PM

yes, dont rinse the sand, and dont let it dry, you should recieve it wet, in a bag of water or something, just use a cup to scoop it out, lower it down into your tank (filled with salt water and stable) then pour the sand out, try to avoid pouring it from high up, that will cloud your water.

04-15-2006, 09:13 PM	#1
gdwb10101 Newblit Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Miami Age: 19 Posts: 251 User Feedback: (0)	Live Rock and Live Sand I figured that more people read this general forum than the beginner forum, so i wanted to post my topic here also. (I was looking at the prices of live rock and live sand today to put in my new 55 gallon aquarium and realized how expensive it is! So i was walking the dog when it hit me, since i live in miami, go to the ocean and get some live rock and live sand. This may sound stupid, but is it possible to do this? Any there any dangers or problems with doing this, because I dont see people readily going to the ocean and bringing back sand and rock for their aquarium, they just buy from LFS. Let me know.)

04-16-2006, 05:11 AM	#3
Reefneck Senior Aquarist Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Near a Coral Reef Age: 46 Posts: 1,351 User Feedback: (0)	It is definately Illegal!! __________________ I wonder how much salt mix I would need to turn our in ground pool into a Reef.

04-16-2006, 11:53 AM	#5
leveldrummer something like a pimp Join Date: May 2005 Location: atlanta Age: 29 Posts: 1,933 User Feedback: (1)	it would be just as easy to put regular sand, and only live rock, take your time with the tank, the sand will become live sand after a while with just the rock in there. __________________ The meek shall inherit the Earth. Big deal. By the time they get it the rest of us will have messed it all up.

04-16-2006, 06:52 PM	#7
leveldrummer something like a pimp Join Date: May 2005 Location: atlanta Age: 29 Posts: 1,933 User Feedback: (1)	no, most people use both to get as much good bacteria and pods in their tank at once, but if your patient, the rock will "seed" the sand, and eventually it becomes live sand. and you save lots of money. __________________ The meek shall inherit the Earth. Big deal. By the time they get it the rest of us will have messed it all up.

04-16-2006, 08:52 PM	#8
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Soon to be Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,489 User Feedback: (1)	also, you don't have to go with all "live sand" you can go with a pound or two to get your base sand "live" __________________ 210 Gal Reef w/ 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge, 125 Gal Fish Only, 65 Gal Seahorse-29 Gallon Sump, 55 Gal FOWLR, 54 Gal Corner FW Community, 20 Gal Nano FOWLR, 55 Gal Piranha, 29 gallon QT "All the yellow tangs and clownfish in the world can't save you now! hahahah" Peter from Family Guy

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04-16-2006, 12:58 AM	#2
mrpotato Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 37 User Feedback: (0)	Er, i think that might be illegal. I know for sure removing coral is illegal.

04-16-2006, 08:48 AM	#4
gdwb10101 Newblit Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Miami Age: 19 Posts: 251 User Feedback: (0)	I was reading a book for confirmation and it is illegal to take live rock, but im not so sure about live sand. What do you think? Whould it be easier to mix 50% live sand w/ 50% aragonite and just pay for the live rock or try to get some on my own?

04-16-2006, 06:49 PM	#6
gdwb10101 Newblit Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Miami Age: 19 Posts: 251 User Feedback: (0)	thanks. I think it would be best to spend a little more on a better live rock and less on the sand. But because most people always combine live rock and live sand together, it seemed as if you could use them together or not at all. Thanks a bunch!

04-16-2006, 09:16 PM	#9
gdwb10101 Newblit Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Miami Age: 19 Posts: 251 User Feedback: (0)	question. I bought this book on marine aquariums and it said that if your sand is dead, you put it in the tank before you add water, if its alive, you put it in with water in the tank. If I was gonna use some live sand, should I put it on top of the dead sand with the water inside or what?

04-16-2006, 10:45 PM	#10
leveldrummer something like a pimp Join Date: May 2005 Location: atlanta Age: 29 Posts: 1,933 User Feedback: (1)	yes, dont rinse the sand, and dont let it dry, you should recieve it wet, in a bag of water or something, just use a cup to scoop it out, lower it down into your tank (filled with salt water and stable) then pour the sand out, try to avoid pouring it from high up, that will cloud your water. __________________ The meek shall inherit the Earth. Big deal. By the time they get it the rest of us will have messed it all up.

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