Rocks, structure, and CUC

[saltsavage]

I have a 30 gallon rectangle tank with about an inch of live sand. Want to do dry rock and seed it with a bit of live rock. Couple questions..

1) I want more sand because it looks like too thin of a layer. Can I add it in the existing water and just let it settle or is there a process?

2) Can I just add the rock in? The water and live sand has been in for about a week.

3) How much dry rock will be good and still give me ample room in the tank to see the fish?

4) Once the rocks are in and the algae bloom/cycle is done and the tests are right can I add my clean up crew?

5) Suggestions for clean up crew? I know I want a starfish and the rest I am open to suggestions/need help!

 

[vanpire]

I have a 30 gallon rectangle tank with about an inch of live sand. Want to do dry rock and seed it with a bit of live rock. Couple questions..

1) I want more sand because it looks like too thin of a layer. Can I add it in the existing water and just let it settle or is there a process?

2) Can I just add the rock in? The water and live sand has been in for about a week.

3) How much dry rock will be good and still give me ample room in the tank to see the fish?

4) Once the rocks are in and the algae bloom/cycle is done and the tests are right can I add my clean up crew?

5) Suggestions for clean up crew? I know I want a starfish and the rest I am open to suggestions/need help!

1. I put my sand in a plastic bag (like the ones you get a the grocery store), and cut one small part of the bag after it is in the water, and let the sand slowly pour out. I did this with fish and coral in the tank already. Some minor clouding but otherwise, no issues.

2. yes

3. Personal preference

4. I did mine soon after I set up my tank even before the algae bloom cycle.

5. Don't get a starfish. It will sterilize your tank by eating living organisms in the sand bed.

 

[saltsavage]

Thanks for all the help! So I can put the rocks in and the CUC basically at the same time? Or should I wait a couple days to get them some growth and something to eat

 

[saltsavage]

Doing some research on my clean up crew for a 30 long tank and i found a source that says I need...

10 scarlet reef hermits
30 blue leg hermits
20 astrea snails
2 emerald crabs

Where the heck are all those going to go?' That seems like a crazy amount to me but then again I'm brand new to this

 

[vanpire]

I am not a big fan of hermits and crabs.

If it were me, I would ditch the crabs and get a bunch of snails. You can have them in soon.