[Buildingmyreef]

I'm buying a new aquarium soon. Most likely 75 gallons. When stocking my aquarium with live sand and rock i'm a little confused with what to do. I've read having all live sand is not good but you still want some to finish left overs and help clean. Is this true? Please elaborate. with live rock what kind of algae is good and which isn't? how much live rock/sand do I need for a 75 specially when i'm having burrowing fish? What kind of algae do I need for some tangs and angel? How do i grow it or wear do i get it? Also with corals will it damage other species putting the chemicals they need in the water?

[WILLIAM1]

HMMM you need 4-6" live sand would be great for a deep sand bed tank. This will help with any nitrates you may have. There wont be any leftover sand all of it will be in the tank. and 2lbs of live rock per gallon thus leaving us at 150lbs of rock. If your cycling your tank you should check out Marco Rocks The finest aquarium rock available, base rock, live rock, reef rock, marco rock, reef tank saltwater fish, live corals, Marco rocks, Fiji live rock, Tonga Live rock they have a great selection of rock its not live rock but its nice. And you cant beat the cost. Then head down to your local fish store and buy 10-15lbs of live rock to seed it. This meaning add corraline algea and micro organisms copods whatever is living on the rock. Within months you will have alot of great looking rock here are 2 pics of the rock before and after. Give or take 20 lbs of rock from various places. I did break the rock down so I could build my shelf.

[Mr_X]

what makes live rock live is the bacteria on it. this bacteria is necessary to break down ammonia, to nitrite, and then nitrate.
as far as algae being good or bad, the difference is it's invasive-ness, and it's ability to be a food source. hair algae, for example, is not palatable by most marine life, therefore it's undesirable.

nori( the stuff that sushi is wrapped in)is perfect for herbivores. you can buy it very cheap at chinese markets in your area, or online. you can also get it at the lfs, but it's about 20x the price. just make sure you don't get the seasoned type. read the ingredients. it shoudl only contain dried seaweed.

all of the trace elements and additives you are contemplating adding to your aquarium are already present in your sea salt mix. do not add anything to your tank unless you are absolutely sure you need it.
and no, in correct dosages, additives that are NEEDED won't hurt anything. overdoses or blindly adding suppliments for the heck of it can be very harmful.

as far as live sand finishing leftovers, that's not going to happen. it's the bristleworms and other small creatures in your sand and rock that will eat the food that the fish don't.
the actual sand doesn't do much for chunks of uneaten food. a "deep sand bed" however, can be another form of filtration if installed and maintained correctly. this needs to be atleast 4", and more like 6" is best. i don't recommend a deep sand bed unless you are experienced. i'd go with a 3" bed if i was you. it will be enough for a burrowing fish.

i don't recommend buying any live sand that comes in bags at the lfs. all that's in it is some bacteria. bacteria will colonize any sand bed eventually, so just purchase dry, aragonite based, sugar sized sand from the lfs for much cheaper.