Pest Mitigation

[bexlc]

Hi guys,

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I'm looking for some guidance regarding both dry rock and dry sand. My goal is to proactively prevent pests from making their way to my tank. I've ordered both Marcos dry rock and their Bahama Aragonite Sand. I'm not worried about how long it will take my tank to cycle, but I am worried that I will be unable to develop the biodiversity necessary to build a thriving tank. What are my options? I know that Dr. Tim's will cycle the tank, but maybe it would be better to use the Algaebarn 'Fuge Starter Kit since it includes a lot more microbio than just bacteria. I'm going to have to build a pod population manually since they won't come with the sand. What are your thoughts and how can I be successful with this?

Thanks!

 

[Maritimer]

Your plan sounds like a decent way to do exactly what you're looking to do - bring in the cultivated strains of bacteria and 'pods that can get your tank running. You'll keep pests out - at least until you start bringing in corals - but you'll also bar the door to a great deal of other fascinating biodiversity. It's a bit of a balancing act, and there isn't really a "wrong answer". Take it slowly, allow your tank to progress at its own pace, and it should let you know when it's ready for the next step.

~B.