Few more questions

[jrossjr79]

OK, I am reading this book, "Saltwater Aquarium for Dummies". But it has me asking a few more questions.

1. It states not to add more than 10lbs of live rock at a time. So was wondering this, Im getting a 145 gallon tank, will have a sump/refuge tank of 75G - 100G. I plan on getting roughly 125lbs - 175lbs of live rock. As well as probably about 2 - 3 inches of live sand. Can I place all the live rock and sand before I add the conditioned/mixed water in? Or do I need to do as stated in the book, only 10lbs at a time? I probably should mention this is a first set up, not adding rock to an established system.

2. The book also stated that it is ok to use TAP water, as long as it has been conditioned and mixed before adding it to the tank. I know you can do this and be safe if using a RO/DI unit, but is it safe with out one a RO/DI unit?

3. And last question for now, does anyone know a place to get several 5 gallon buckets that are food safe, or should I just call and bug several restaurants in the area?

[txav8r]

1. You can add it all at once. Your tank will need to cycle after that though.
2. Use rodi. Save yourself the headache.
3. Home depot buckets work well.
I've seen people on the side of the road selling food grade 5g containers but don't have a number for you to call so I guess that's not much help.

[Scutterborn]

I was speaking to Ace once about the depth of a sandbed and he said to keep it less than an inch or more than 4. Anything in between only begs of problems.

[CoryDude]

Yep, either go with 1-1.5 inches or go 4+. You'll have yourself a nice nitrate storage area if you go in between.

[jrossjr79]

So which is better 1 inch or 4?

[allan]

I'd do the 1" in your display, 4"+ in your sump. Personal taste, I like to see the sand, don't care to see beneath it as 4"+ will be against your glass. And when it started to do its thing, the colors aren't pretty.

Another good thing about a shallow bed is that you can disturb it. Deep, you don't want to disturb too much of it at any single time.

[jrossjr79]

So if I get 1 inch, would I still be able to get fish or invertebras that like to burrow them self in the sand, and keep them happy?

[allan]

Uh, Karin is a good person to ask about that. I've got snails that borrow (and some worms), but I don't think burrowing gobies would be happy with a shallow bed.

[jrossjr79]

Ya gobies, sand dollar, starfish, are a few things I do want in the tank.

[Noob]

Adding to jrossjr79 second question.
Would it be the same/similar as using RO/DI water if i filled a couple 5 gallon water jugs with water from HEB or those windmills and stored them for when i do my monthly 5gallon water change?

[Sherita]

Ya gobies, sand dollar, starfish, are a few things I do want in the tank.

Please rethink the sand dollar. They require a huge amount of sandbed, which means a HUGE tank, and have a dismal survival rate in home aquaria.

If you want burrowing gobies, I suspect you will need a sandbed deeper than one inch. My twin spot has a cave that reaches the bottom glass, and my sandbed is 4 inches deep.

[jrossjr79]

Please rethink the sand dollar. They require a huge amount of sandbed, which means a HUGE tank, and have a dismal survival rate in home aquaria.

If you want burrowing gobies, I suspect you will need a sandbed deeper than one inch. My twin spot has a cave that reaches the bottom glass, and my sandbed is 4 inches deep.

Thank you for mentioning that the sand dollar is not a good choice.

[Texreefer]

Thats what I have used since i set up my aquarium over a year ago

Adding to jrossjr79 second question.
Would it be the same/similar as using RO/DI water if i filled a couple 5 gallon water jugs with water from HEB or those windmills and stored them for when i do my monthly 5gallon water change?

[jroescher]

Buy a RO/DI unit. There not that expensive and it will pay for itself in no time. Much easier than hauling water.

[klwheat]

For the amount of water you're talking about using up with that size tank....just get an RO/DI unit. It will pay for itself quickly! Also, a couple of BRUTE trash cans from homedepot with lids, set up with floats, and you always have RO/DI water ready to go. Then, you can use one for top-off water, and mix salt water in the other for water changes. It also gives you readily available stores for "emergency" water changes. And again....it will QUICKLY pay for itself vs buying ro water.

[Kristy]

Adding to jrossjr79 second question.
Would it be the same/similar as using RO/DI water if i filled a couple 5 gallon water jugs with water from HEB or those windmills and stored them for when i do my monthly 5gallon water change?

Is it ok to do this? Sure. Is it safe? Worked for us for a good long while in the beginning.

BUT, like others have mentioned, it quickly becomes a PITA lugging the buckets and scraping up the quarters. You'll want to spring for the RO/DI sooner or later (ok, sooner!)