Hi Folks

[ChemGuy]

Ok I will go with the Nova.
Another question are all Live Rocks just about the same or no?
I see big variations in prices but don't really know if the higher priced ones are
actually better or just harder to get because of their location or what?

Thanks

[Parrothead]

As for live rock, try to get some south pacific stuff, some new rock coming in lately has been totoka, but the feedback is it takes a little longer and a little more patience to cycle it in, check out these guys Welcome to Pacific East Aquaculture, they've got some south asian rock, I don't know alot about it, but they are good folks there who will answer all your questions,

I will tell you this avoid the gulf rock, it is dense, heavy, not real good for filtration, I learned this one the hard way, it's cheap, it's pretty, but you have to buy twice as much, and give up the good stuff you get with the south pac. rock

[ChemGuy]

Thanks Parrothead thats a great site.

[ChemGuy]

Anyone have any thoughts about this site?
Are the prices OK.
What kind would you suggest. So much info lately I think
I'm getting confused a bit
Aquarium Live Rock, Fiji Live Rock, Branch Live Rock, Marshal Island live rock, Tonga Live Rock and more

Thanks

[Parrothead]

Anyone have any thoughts about this site?
Are the prices OK.
What kind would you suggest. So much info lately I think
I'm getting confused a bit
Aquarium Live Rock, Fiji Live Rock, Branch Live Rock, Marshal Island live rock, Tonga Live Rock and more

Thanks

I don't know anyone who has used these guys, I've looked at there site a time or two, their prices are on the high side for buying on-line, shop a little more, check these guys out
Saltwater Aquarium Rock for Marine Reef Aquariums: Fiji Premium Live Rock - Large Size

[ChemGuy]

Well I just spent over an hour talking with my LFS guy and I must say I am more confused now than ever. I was telling him what I wanted to set up but when I mentioned DSB he immediately said "plenum" and then spent 15 min telling me about various layers of screens and sand needed and how thick they should be etc.
Unless I missed something I did not think DSB and plenums were the same thing.?
DSB is just 4-6 inches of sand right?
He told me getting a cup or 2 of live sand to get the sand bed going was not necessary and that the live rock would do this.
He has live rock at $8.00/pound that he says will need NO cycling. As it is already cycled. Oddly he told me his rock (Fiji) would not grow coraline algae??
Also told me no mechanical filter was necessary, sump is not necessary, and that water flow going in the same direction all the time is bad?
Looking for some feed back on this stuff if someone has the time thanks.

ChemGuy

[Parrothead]

DSB is a 3-5 inch or deeper bed of sand only, if you have two k4's or sim. powerhead one on each side of the tank, all your flow is not gonna be going one way, no you do not have to have a sump, but they are a plus for alot reasons, added water volume - helps to keep system stable, the ability to add a fuge to a sump, a place for heaters, carbon, etc. also with an overflow box you get the added benefit of it skimming your surface, also it is a great benefit for Oxygen exchange, that is a major benefit in and of itself. Fiji will grow coraline algea, the cup or two of live sand will accelerate the seeding of the sand bed.

[gregony]

The only reason his rock wouln't grow coraline algae is if it was never truly live rock to start with or he didn't cure it right. Check the sponsor ads, also Drsfosterandsmith sell live rock for a good price. The sump is a good idea for all the reasons Parrothead mentioned. If you just don't want to bother with the sump (or don't have the money) you will need a simple HOB or canister filter to perform chemical filtration from time to time at the least. I use a Top Fin (Petsmart house brand) 40 for mechanical filtration and a Penguin Biowheel 170 (with biowheel removed) with carbon and additional Eheim ceramic substrate (which I already had from a fw tank years back). I also like the extra water movement.
And +1 on the Current USA Nova Extreme Pro light fixture.

[ChemGuy]

One more question. I see that sand comes in different particle sizes.
What size is best for a reef tank DSB ?
Tanks