[davidb6]

I purchased cured live rock on-line from Sea Trade Marine (let you know what it looks like after I get it) and have a question about curing. I’m sure there will be some die-off during transit (overnight air) so I’ll take the precaution and go through the process. My tank only has aged salt water in it for now so I’ll cure it right in the tank.

Question – Should I add live sand in at the same time as the live rock? I’ve heard - “it can only help in the rock curing process” and, I've also heard “no, wait until after curing”.

This forum referenced SandMan as a good source of live sand. His advertisement says – “Don’t Be Surprised To Find Baby Shrimp, Beneficial Worms, Micro Starfish, Polyps, Mushroom, And Numerous Other Reef Safe Organisms”

Won’t these (little guys) be hurt by the live rock cycling if I add them at the same time?

Thanks

[jpmwjm]

I ordered LS from reefsandman for my refugium. The sand looks pretty good. I didn't find any live organisms though. Still good quality sand. Also if you are wanting his sand with the snails/LR rubble/ and Cheato. Make sure it states this in the description, not just on the picture. He uses the same picture for his sand only item also.

[Six-line Wrasse]

Most live sand won't have visible organisms in it. The organisms are primarily nitrogen cycle bacteria, although occasionally you might get some sort of worm or what not.

[elkman97462]

I would like to see the davice for adding live sand to the live rock and curing together as I am about to be in the same spot. Thanks!!

[glampka]

All depends on what type of LR you are buying - cured or uncured. I definitely wouldn't try to cure uncured rock with sand in the tank since you're tank is going to be 1 smelly mess for a bit. If it's cured rock, the die off shouldn't be bad & you could do it with the sand in there. Be sure to put the rock in first & back fill with the sand. That way it'll be on a stable base. Should you get burrowing fish in the future their digging won't cause the rock to come tumbling down. If you want some substrate with critters, check out GARF's Grunge - it's full of stuff. Don't use it as your top layer though since some of the rubble in there can be on the dark side. GARF's site is Geothermal Aquaculture Research Foundation Home Page

[jimw369]

If you dont listen to Glampka on this one regarding the uncured rock in your tank, you will soon become very familiar with a turkey baster and tooth brush.

[davidb6]

My (new) plan is to add the “cured” live rock to my (aged water only) tank and let it run for a day or two just to make sure it really is cured and the, if it is, add (CaribSea) aragonite dry live sand. I will let the system cycle and add live sand activator plus from : : : : Indo-Pacific Sea Farms : : : :. a week or two after its complete

Sound right?

[Mattfish]

Just learned something else from below. Although we're going to be daring and cure the LR ourselves - yes, I've heard about the smell, but grew up at the shore, and are prepared with open windows, fans, etc, but figure this way we'll get the whole experience.

But this is the first mention of adding the sand a few days down the road from the rock. Makes sense - we were planning on Carib-Sea Aragonite LS, so it makes sense to not mixed what is effectively "cured sand" with uncured rock - I assume the ammonia, and nitrates/nitrites from the uncured rock would likely kill off the live bacteria in the sand?