Came out of reef retirement - New to dry rock

[Hemmbone20]

Hi everybody,
As the title suggests, I just started a new tank after being unable to have a reef tank for the past 9 years due to my work travels…
I’m doing everything “right’’ this time. Got a new Red Sea reefer 350 and filled it with 80 lbs of live sand and about 60 pounds of dry rock. Added some starter bacteria and got the cycle going. The cycle is finally over so I added 2 clowns.

My question is about how sterile my tank feels at the moment… last time I had a tank, 9 years ago, I started with live rock and my tank was immediately filled with a huge variety of life. It had its own issues at the time, but I enjoyed all the critters in my tank. I felt like there was never any doubt that my CUC, fish, and corals had food. Since I started with dry rock this time, is there a way to add more biodiversity while also avoiding pests? I assume the answer is to be patient… things will come in on frags and whatnot… but I’m curious if anyone else has felt this way when starting a new sterile system up.

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

Hi everybody,
As the title suggests, I just started a new tank after being unable to have a reef tank for the past 9 years due to my work travels…
I’m doing everything “right’’ this time. Got a new Red Sea reefer 350 and filled it with 80 lbs of live sand and about 60 pounds of dry rock. Added some starter bacteria and got the cycle going. The cycle is finally over so I added 2 clowns.

My question is about how sterile my tank feels at the moment… last time I had a tank, 9 years ago, I started with live rock and my tank was immediately filled with a huge variety of life. It had its own issues at the time, but I enjoyed all the critters in my tank. I felt like there was never any doubt that my CUC, fish, and corals had food. Since I started with dry rock this time, is there a way to add more biodiversity while also avoiding pests? I assume the answer is to be patient… things will come in on frags and whatnot… but I’m curious if anyone else has felt this way when starting a new sterile system up.

I know there's always a pest risk with live rock but you're in a prime location to pick some maricultured live rock up locally? Pests may still appear with frags too, even after dipping.

 

[skyrne_isk]

Hi everybody,
As the title suggests, I just started a new tank after being unable to have a reef tank for the past 9 years due to my work travels…
I’m doing everything “right’’ this time. Got a new Red Sea reefer 350 and filled it with 80 lbs of live sand and about 60 pounds of dry rock. Added some starter bacteria and got the cycle going. The cycle is finally over so I added 2 clowns.

My question is about how sterile my tank feels at the moment… last time I had a tank, 9 years ago, I started with live rock and my tank was immediately filled with a huge variety of life. It had its own issues at the time, but I enjoyed all the critters in my tank. I felt like there was never any doubt that my CUC, fish, and corals had food. Since I started with dry rock this time, is there a way to add more biodiversity while also avoiding pests? I assume the answer is to be patient… things will come in on frags and whatnot… but I’m curious if anyone else has felt this way when starting a new sterile system up.

This is the answer: https://tbsaltwater.com/

 

[shcrimps]

Hi everybody,
As the title suggests, I just started a new tank after being unable to have a reef tank for the past 9 years due to my work travels…
I’m doing everything “right’’ this time. Got a new Red Sea reefer 350 and filled it with 80 lbs of live sand and about 60 pounds of dry rock. Added some starter bacteria and got the cycle going. The cycle is finally over so I added 2 clowns.

My question is about how sterile my tank feels at the moment… last time I had a tank, 9 years ago, I started with live rock and my tank was immediately filled with a huge variety of life. It had its own issues at the time, but I enjoyed all the critters in my tank. I felt like there was never any doubt that my CUC, fish, and corals had food. Since I started with dry rock this time, is there a way to add more biodiversity while also avoiding pests? I assume the answer is to be patient… things will come in on frags and whatnot… but I’m curious if anyone else has felt this way when starting a new sterile system up.

get five lbs of australian live rock from tankstop
great stuff on them and i haven’t gotten anything bad & even got a few corals too
im new to this stuff only doing it since 2020 but i hate starting with just dry dock and the last few tanks i’ve setup i only used it for my main scape and put live rock throughout
aussie rock is a pricey especially how much rock used to cost (from what i’ve heard) but it really is a fun thing to do

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Welcome To The Reef!

 

[shcrimps]

Australian Branch Fusion Live Rock

SHIPPING COST VARIES: To get a quote on shipping cost please call or text Eric at +1(818)269-8903. The cart at checkout will show free shipping but please be aware shipping is NOT free for this item.Introducing our newest offering from Australia, a stunning collection of uncured live rock that...

www.tankstop.com

 

[Garf]

Hi everybody,
As the title suggests, I just started a new tank after being unable to have a reef tank for the past 9 years due to my work travels…
I’m doing everything “right’’ this time. Got a new Red Sea reefer 350 and filled it with 80 lbs of live sand and about 60 pounds of dry rock. Added some starter bacteria and got the cycle going. The cycle is finally over so I added 2 clowns.

My question is about how sterile my tank feels at the moment… last time I had a tank, 9 years ago, I started with live rock and my tank was immediately filled with a huge variety of life. It had its own issues at the time, but I enjoyed all the critters in my tank. I felt like there was never any doubt that my CUC, fish, and corals had food. Since I started with dry rock this time, is there a way to add more biodiversity while also avoiding pests? I assume the answer is to be patient… things will come in on frags and whatnot… but I’m curious if anyone else has felt this way when starting a new sterile system up.

Welcome and good luck

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Hi everybody,
As the title suggests, I just started a new tank after being unable to have a reef tank for the past 9 years due to my work travels…
I’m doing everything “right’’ this time. Got a new Red Sea reefer 350 and filled it with 80 lbs of live sand and about 60 pounds of dry rock. Added some starter bacteria and got the cycle going. The cycle is finally over so I added 2 clowns.

My question is about how sterile my tank feels at the moment… last time I had a tank, 9 years ago, I started with live rock and my tank was immediately filled with a huge variety of life. It had its own issues at the time, but I enjoyed all the critters in my tank. I felt like there was never any doubt that my CUC, fish, and corals had food. Since I started with dry rock this time, is there a way to add more biodiversity while also avoiding pests? I assume the answer is to be patient… things will come in on frags and whatnot… but I’m curious if anyone else has felt this way when starting a new sterile system up.

Use at least Tampa Bay Salt Water live sand 20 pounds. Will make a huge difference.

 

[alpenreef]

Or https://gulfliverock.com/
You aren’t doing yourself any favors with dry rock.

 

[Formulator]

Toss it or sell it and get live rock. You had it right the first time around

 

[Hemmbone20]

This is the answer: https://tbsaltwater.com/

I looked into this actually, but my LFS argued against it. Maybe I’ll get one live rock or a small amount of sand for the sump and see what happens

 

[Hemmbone20]

Toss it or sell it and get live rock. You had it right the first time around

Well dang! I thought dry was the new standard in the hobby. Maybe I’ll add some live rock then thanks

 

[Doctorgori]

I’d cop some real Gulf stuff and add it to your mix …that’s assuming non-domestic ocean life forms don’t scare you …

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I looked into this actually, but my LFS argued against it. Maybe I’ll get one live rock or a small amount of sand for the sump and see what happens

I would not listen to that store's advice on that. TBSW is one of the best live rock brands out there. We got some for our small 1g pico tank, and it is incredible rock. Life rock can have pest, but I am someone that stands by live rock over dry rock

 

[AlyciaMarie]

I looked into this actually, but my LFS argued against it. Maybe I’ll get one live rock or a small amount of sand for the sump and see what happens

This is interesting. Did they say why? Live rock can carry in hitchhikers, but the biodiversity it can bring to your tank is almost unbeatable. I just received my first shipment from Tampa Bay Saltwater, and I was very impressed. It's beautiful rock with lots to look at.

 

[Hemmbone20]

I’d cop some real Gulf stuff and add it to your mix …that’s assuming non-domestic ocean life forms don’t scare you …

I’ve thought about this, I see plenty good rocks when I go out on the boat… but they all look different than my store bought so it’s more about having the rock in the display match.

 

[exnisstech]

Well dang! I thought dry was the new standard in the hobby. Maybe I’ll add some live rock then thanks

It is for the folks that dislike or are scared of hitchhikers. Heck look around and see how many people freak out over a bristle worm lord forbid an aiptasia or some gha shows up It's a new generation of reefers. Thankfully there are still old timers around to help out those of us that want a more natural reef. I've done dry rock barebottom start ups but always have some type of live rock in the sump to help out.

 

[Doctorgori]

I’ve thought about this, I see plenty good rocks when I go out on the boat… but they all look different than my store bought so it’s more about having the rock in the display match.

Trust me, if all goes right, eventually you shouldn’t be able to see the difference……

 

[X-37B]

I prefer all live rock. Current systems are all GulfLiveRock.
Im my old 120 I did 50/50 live dead. In 6 months its hard to tell the difference.
Old 120

 

[reefnfun]

I did the same thing as you and re-started my tank with dry rock. It took 2 years before my water was right. With live rock I had a mandarin goby in there after 8 weeks. The bottled bacteria was trash