Erin O's 75G Build

[Erin O]

There is no need for ammonia with live rock. Adding bacteria in a bottle is up to you. This rock is currently in a dark tub with a pump and skimmer. I will add a piece with some coraline algae to kick that off for you. You don't want to start a new cycle and kill off any micro critters.

Ok, perfect. Thank you! I just wanted to make sure that I didn't starve any of the beneficial bacteria. Should I plan to add a fish or a small part of my CUC right away to keep the cycle going? I had planned on waiting to make sure that the tank was stable before I added anything, but I can get a hermit crab or something

 

[fishguy242]

water first..lol,
yes black/w snows i have model citizens but so are whites your choice

 

[Erin O]

water first..lol,
yes black/w snows i have model citizens but so are whites your choice

Lets do black and whites

 

[Erin O]

So, @sfin52 and I were discussing sand last night, and I think I know what I want, but I'd love your opinions. I know that I don't want the oolite. I don't want to risk the sand blowing around. I'm not sure if I will have a sand sifter, but I think I should plan for it just in case (I do like the shrimp/goby pairs; I love how they work together). I'm thinking the Fiji pink, although @Why-Me has suggested the Arag-Alive special grade. What are your thoughts?

 

[najer]

This is the page I used for reference as I can order from my side of the pond!
Oh and how many lbs of sand for a 29?

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/fish/fish-tank-sand-gravel-substrate/fish-tank-marine-substrates

 

[Erin O]

This is the page I used for reference as I can order from my side of the pond!
Oh and how many lbs of sand for a 29?

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/fish/fish-tank-sand-gravel-substrate/fish-tank-marine-substrates

I think between 30 and 40 lbs for a 2 inch sand bed.

What do you think of the reef gravel?

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/fish/fish-tank-sand-gravel-substrate/fish-tank-marine-substrates/caribsea-arag-alive-natural-reef-aquarium-gravel

 

[Scratch08]

So, @sfin52 and I were discussing sand last night, and I think I know what I want, but I'd love your opinions. I know that I don't want the oolite. I don't want to risk the sand blowing around. I'm not sure if I will have a sand sifter, but I think I should plan for it just in case (I do like the shrimp/goby pairs; I love how they work together). I'm thinking the Fiji pink, although @Why-Me has suggested the Arag-Alive special grade. What are your thoughts?

I like the Fiji pink. Its what I used years ago and loved it. When I set up my 75 first time, I had Ocean Direct of some sort, basically looked like sugar sand, had a hard time with it blowing around. Going back to the Fiji Pink this go around...good choice imo.

Edit: fixed my slightly confusing run on sentence...its early still.

 

[najer]

I think between 30 and 40 lbs for a 2 inch sand bed.

What do you think of the reef gravel?

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/fish/fish-tank-sand-gravel-substrate/fish-tank-marine-substrates/caribsea-arag-alive-natural-reef-aquarium-gravel

Not very creature friendly.

 

[Scratch08]

This is the page I used for reference as I can order from my side of the pond!
Oh and how many lbs of sand for a 29?

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/fish/fish-tank-sand-gravel-substrate/fish-tank-marine-substrates

2 20lb bags will likely be more than enough for the 29

 

[najer]

I like the Fiji pink. Its what I used years ago, before I took my 75 down, I had Ocean Direct of some sort, basically looked like sugar sand, had a hard time with it blowing around. Going back to the Giji Pink this go around...good choice imo.

This, I tried fiji pink a few years ago, loved it.

 

[Erin O]

Fiji pink it is, then. The only problem I'm running into is that everyone wants it right now! Lol. Petco and Petsmart are both out of stock

 

[fishguy242]

hi guys, amazon?? maybe

 

[Erin O]

hi guys, amazon?? maybe

The Fiji pink is really expensive on Amazon. Almost $40 for 20 lbs

 

[fishguy242]

how much is it at petco or chewy?

 

[Erin O]

how much is it at petco or chewy?

$23.10 at Petco, $27.99 and Petsmart, and $27.99 on Chewy

 

[fishguy242]

Does chewy have it?

 

[Scratch08]

Fiji pink it is, then. The only problem I'm running into is that everyone wants it right now! Lol. Petco and Petsmart are both out of stock

I actually dont think its out of stock, I think they are holding it and saying its out of stock. Its been at that price on their site for over a month now.

Does chewy have it?

Nope...shows sold out

 

[Erin O]

Does chewy have it?

Nope. They're sold out, too. Plus, delivery from Chewy is super slow right now. I would guess that Petco and Petsmart are as well

 

[fishguy242]

yes pretty much everything ordered is running slow rt now

 

[Scratch08]

$23.10 at Petco, $27.99 and Petsmart, and $27.99 on Chewy

Thats different for what they show for me...unless it changed in the last 2 hours... was showing 18 something at chewy and petco, 20 and change at petsmart.
You could look at getting dry sand for it, its cheaper and you get more sand for a lower weight, 15lbs dry is more sand than 20lbs of wet. Just have to rinse good before putting it in tank. Since you will be receiving live rock the bacterial cycle won't be too bad going this route.