Importance of biodiversity

[TheWalkman99]

my tank is only two months old and I keep hearing about the importance of biodiversity. I started with dry rock because I was scared of bad hitchhikers and caribsea live sand. Just wondering what I can do to boost the biodiversity in the tank, some advatantages. And if ordering from somewhere like Indio pacific sea farms is worth the money. Especially when money could go towards more equipment.

 

[CMO]

Definitely worth the money and I can vouch for Indo Pacific from experience. Good stuff and really nice people. With dry rock you will be especially susceptible to dinos so make sure you keep your nutrient levels detectable, especially until the tank matures and bio diversity is healthy and strong. I started with all dry rock and sand on my tank and it took about 10 months to get to the point that I'd call the tank matured with decent bio diversity, coralline coverage and stability. I have all the equipment in the world and still got dinos which is absolute torture to deal with. So my 2 cents is spend the money on criters with equipment second. Oh and don't add fish like mandarins or wrasses early on that will wipe out your copepods and amphipods before they can establish (they can help prevent dinos and other problems).

 

[TheWalkman99]

Definitly taking my live stock slow. So there’s no reason to hold back on adding copepods?
Also any specific products you recommend from Indio pacific?

 

[RMS18]

I agree with @CMO , keep some Po3 and Po4 on new systems. My last system started with dry rock and live sand but i used Zeovit, which lead ME to Dinos within a short period. I'm not stating that running Zeovit will cause Dinos but i do agree keeping some nutrients and going through the ugly stages is the best path to a solid biodiversity. Adding a variety copepods is a great option. If you are running a refugium that will make a great home for the copepods!

 

[Thingsibuild]

I had dino's bad from low nutrient. One thing that did help was at live rock rubble from my local fish store. The stuff at the very bottom of the tank it's full of good stuff. You are going to get hitch hikers regardless. Better to learn to deal with them in the beginning. 10 months and my tank is finally looking normal. It takes time no way to rush it.

 

[cracker]

@Thingsibuild I see your a new member . Welcome ! Have stopped by the meet & greet forum?
try here !
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/meet-greet-forum.129/

Sorry for the subject change. Iv'e been experimenting with small amounts of sand & mud from my local waters to promote biodiversity. Can't say if it's working or not. I guess it's all way to small for me to see anyway.

 

[TheWalkman99]

I do already have a refugium already going in one of my chambers, the chaeto is growing great.
For the past 7 weeks my nitrate has been steady at 10ppm I need to get better about checking phosphate.
I did grab some rubble from the LFS to help with my cycle. I have that in the chamber one over from my refugium. Maybe I’ll grab more from another store.
Sorta leery about using local sand. Being from SoCal worries about pollution, and we have colder water so I don’t know how well the bacteria would do in the tank. @cracker do you filter it clean the sand at all?
I think I’ll order pods from alage barn this week.

 

[cracker]

No I didn't rinse the 2 times iv'e done this. I'm looking for bacterial diversity but critters are ok as well ! I put the mud/sand in a tupperware & set it in the sump.