New tank help!

Mandrew · Dec 11, 2015

I'm starting a 20g long reef. I bought a 20lb bag of arag-alive live sand that I'm going to add when I put my rocks in. My question is long but here it is. I had 10lbs of live (but dead now) rock from a 10g I tore down months ago. It was dry then I rinsed it off in the sink and it's been soaking in a bucket for almost two weeks with heated and circulated saltwater. Along with that I put some rock from my buddies sump in there, it was only in his sump for about a month. My question is, if I add that rock and live sand, would it be safe to add my first fish in order to feed the live sand and possibly the "live rock" from my friends sump. If it would be considered live after only being in his tank for a month.

kendavjac · Dec 11, 2015

I would start with ghost feeding (adding food like there is fish in your tank) and test for a week or two before you add fish. I would guess that the live sand and the rocks from your buddy's sump are not going to be enough. Back in the day it was common to cycle a tank with a couple of cheap fish but most people don't anymore.

Mandrew · Dec 11, 2015

That's how I did my first tank 2-3 years ago because I didn't know any better.

steve&mari · Dec 11, 2015

kendavjac said:
I would start with ghost feeding (adding food like there is fish in your tank) and test for a week or two before you add fish. I would guess that the live sand and the rocks from your buddy's sump are not going to be enough. Back in the day it was common to cycle a tank with a couple of cheap fish but most people don't anymore.

Good advice totally agree.