Economic rock and sand?
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JonPhillips
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jsker
Reefing is all about the adventure
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Back in the day, we used to bust up cinder blocks and soak them in a trash can with water and do water changes, then start building up the fancy rock around the busted up pieces. @revhtree suggested $215 plus shipping is not a bad price.
oh by the way do not put yourself for asking a question.
oh by the way do not put yourself for asking a question.
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JonPhillips
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Back in the day, we used to bust up cinder blocks and soak them in a trash can with water and do water changes, then start building up the fancy rock around the busted up pieces. @revhtree suggested $215 plus shipping is not a bad price.
oh by the way do not put yourself for asking a question.
for sure
On the play ground sand, just as an extra point. The play ground sand is mainly silica, quartz and other materials (which will probably be detrimental at a later stage and surely will add nothing to your reef) where aragonite is mainly calcium carbonate. The extra benefit is that the aragonite slowly dissolves in the water which buffers your pH and calcium/carbonate concentrations.
So, don't take that shortcut
So, don't take that shortcut
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JonPhillips
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On the play ground sand, just as an extra point. The play ground sand is mainly silica, quartz and other materials (which will probably be detrimental at a later stage and surely will add nothing to your reef) where aragonite is mainly calcium carbonate. The extra benefit is that the aragonite slowly dissolves in the water which buffers your pH and calcium/carbonate concentrations.
So, don't take that shortcut
ahhhhhhhhhhhh
It broke my heart too that I HAD to spend $50 on my sand... I don't know what happened to the guy that was not pleased with spending $50 because presently I don't blink... This hobby sucks you in and doesn't let go...
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JonPhillips
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is it ok to buy sand used?
It's like buying a used toothbrush... It might be ok but you won't know until it's too late 
I would highly recommend live sand by CaribSea (is what I got) but even dead one would be better (some would argue better than live) than the used one...
I would highly recommend live sand by CaribSea (is what I got) but even dead one would be better (some would argue better than live) than the used one...
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JonPhillips
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but live rock is ok to buy used right?
Yes. Some people trust their source (lfs mainly) to buy cured live rock which shortens the cycle time (if any occurs really) and it's what I did. Some others buy real live rock like the ones from TBS which is amazing if you can afford it or like it so much.
On the first group you run the chance of getting rock that has been in a nutrient rich environment for a long time (maybe someone broke their tank down due to uncontrollable HA and sold the rock back to the store) and they start leeching nutrients out or they bring unwanted pests. That's where another category of people comes in where they simply nuke the rock with acid baths and bleach and start over with curing etc.
On the first group you run the chance of getting rock that has been in a nutrient rich environment for a long time (maybe someone broke their tank down due to uncontrollable HA and sold the rock back to the store) and they start leeching nutrients out or they bring unwanted pests. That's where another category of people comes in where they simply nuke the rock with acid baths and bleach and start over with curing etc.
Zoot098
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Jon
Just my opinion but be very careful with Craigs List live rock, especially if you are planning a reef tank. Copper based meds will still be in the rock and will leach. If the Rock is coming out of a reef tank your most likely ok, but if its coming out of a Fish only tank, I would pass.
Just my opinion but be very careful with Craigs List live rock, especially if you are planning a reef tank. Copper based meds will still be in the rock and will leach. If the Rock is coming out of a reef tank your most likely ok, but if its coming out of a Fish only tank, I would pass.
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JonPhillips
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thank you. I was unaware of this and will be advised.
DurocShark
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That's what I went with, and one piece of the cheapest rock from my local store.
Mark_D
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I searched forums and kijiji for my rock. The nice thing about using dry rock, is being able to do all your aquascaping outside of the tank and then droping it in... My chunk of shtimp has been in for two weeks now... average time would be around 6 to 8 weeks to cycle. Cant wait!
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You don't even have to use sand if you don't want to. If you paint the underside of the tank white, it looks just like sand from the other side. Also, welcome! There is never a stupid question here. R2R is awesome and everyone wants to help. Ask away!
