aquariumdebacle
electrolyte addict
I have four to six inches (300 pounds) of arogonite sand in my 120 gallon tank. I soaked it for a couple of months in RO/DI water. I changed the water completely a few times. I then filtered the saltwater through Kent's activated carbon for a day before adding it to my system. This was without any additives except Kent's salt. I feel this was as pure as I could get it.
There is only live rock (Tonga Branch) in the system. About four small hemit crabs are the only "higher" lifeforms added. I added a few small pieces of live rock to seed it a couple of months before I added the branch. Within a few days the tank was crawling with microorganisms. I was only using a couple wood airstones plumbed to my overflow for circulation. The worms and other creatures spread out across the entire tank within a week. I disrupted the tank and sand bed a couple of weeks before I added the bulk of the live rock. This killed off most of the swimming life in the water column. The swimmers have yet to return and I am letting the tank fester for a while before I start stalking the tank.
I plan to cram the tank with fish. I do not have any immediate plans for culturing corals. I am limited to two 40 watt flourescent bulbs to light the tank. I will crank up the sump and trickle filter when I have stalked the tank with a significant amount of fish. I may turn off the sump at night and just use it during the day. I will have to see how the oxygen levels fluctuate with just the surface being renewed.
There is only live rock (Tonga Branch) in the system. About four small hemit crabs are the only "higher" lifeforms added. I added a few small pieces of live rock to seed it a couple of months before I added the branch. Within a few days the tank was crawling with microorganisms. I was only using a couple wood airstones plumbed to my overflow for circulation. The worms and other creatures spread out across the entire tank within a week. I disrupted the tank and sand bed a couple of weeks before I added the bulk of the live rock. This killed off most of the swimming life in the water column. The swimmers have yet to return and I am letting the tank fester for a while before I start stalking the tank.
I plan to cram the tank with fish. I do not have any immediate plans for culturing corals. I am limited to two 40 watt flourescent bulbs to light the tank. I will crank up the sump and trickle filter when I have stalked the tank with a significant amount of fish. I may turn off the sump at night and just use it during the day. I will have to see how the oxygen levels fluctuate with just the surface being renewed.