starting saltwater

[SqueakyClean]

When starting a saltwater tank I heard live rock and live sand will help it cycle faster is this true?
How much live sand or live rock do I use?

[stevem]

First yes live sand and live rock speed up a cycle very much. Year ago when starting a saltwater tank it was not uncommon for it to take 6-12 weeks. Now with live sand and live rock I have cycle a tanks in 4- 6 days.
Huge difference right!!!!
Second live rock as a general rule you should use about 1-2 pounds per gal. Sand is a bt harder to judge, it depend on how deep of a sand bed you want. You can use as little as 2 inches or I have seen as much as 9 inches in a tank. You do not have to use all live sand. I usually use 1 or 2 bags to seed the regular sand. Other wse it get to be expensive.
If you are looking for live sand, we at the Brooklyn Aquarium Society are selling it for $20.00 a bag for 20 lbs. Thats a steel!! Just come to one of our meetings, look on our site for the next mmeting

[uncenue09]

I am in the same postion as you Slatz, just starting out this thread has been a help. Cheers fellas

[stevem]

once you start a salt fresh is like kid s stuff
The fish just blow away freshwater

[john fox]

Can I start a saltwater tank lets say a 10 gallon tank and use the same equipment as freshwater ie; a small aerator with an airstone and a box filter or a aquaclear filter??🐳and the lights the same as fresh water🐠

[stevem]

i would not recommend it for a beginner no less