How to handle Live Sand & Rock

[oceanviper]

Hi marine Guru....

I'm new in Marine Tank.
I would like to seek some advice on the above mentioned subject.

What should I do for the new live sand and rock which purchased from LFS?

Do I need to rinse it as what I do for the planted tank?

Please advice.

Thanks.

[Fuzzy]

don't rinse live sand, if its new out of a bag.

For live rock, you want a pair of gloves for handling. Some have very sharp edges, and may harbor hitchhikers that may sting.

I'd recommend dunking your live rock into freshwater for 1 minute to remove pests and hitchhikers. If your LR is not pre-cured, you will probably want to scrub it with a coarse bristle scrubber or toothbrush to clear off any debris or dead organisms from its surface.

You will probably then want to let it cure for 1 - 3 weeks in the tank while its being cycled.

You are going to try a marine planted tank?? Most macro algae and marine plants are capable of going asexual if not kept on a 24/7 light cycle and bombing your tank, might need to read up a bit more on that first.

[oceanviper]

Hi Fuzzy.
Thanks for the tips.....

I'm planning to get some clown and lion fish for initial....
Since I'm putting this in...do you advice I need the live rocks?

Please advice.

Thanks.

[BFG]

Lion fish and clown in a single tank? The lion fish is a venomous fish and I hope you knew that already. Do you know the risk you are getting into?

[oceanviper]

Hi BFG.
Thanks for the information.

Just to clarify, the venomous that you refer is it to human being or the clown fish or other fish that will be sharing with the lion fish?

Thanks.

[BFG]

Woah, you do not know? The clown fish would be eaten whole but the lion fish would stung you and you might develop allergic reaction. You might scare the lion fish when you place your hand in the tank while doing maintenance work and it might stung you in self defense. The fish has the right to self defense if it feel it is threatened and your right not to get stung diminished the moment you purchase this venomous fish. I would advise that you look at other marine fish species.

[oceanviper]

Hi BFG bro....
To be frank, I have less knowledge on the types of fish that can be mix with.

I do aware about the lion fish venomous, but not aware that this fish is so aggresive to others.....

Like what you mentioned....probally will stick to clown fish for the moment....

Thanks.

[BFG]

There are many nice fish to choose from and most are not venomous. But beware of marine fish habit. They do not tolerate the same shape fish in the tank. You could get away with a confirmed pair or species that school in a harem or such. In a large tank, you could diffuse that behavior but it wouldn't last, the strongest will survive.

[TED]

abit OT...can live rock 'survive' wih water temp ard 29-29.5C ?

[Fuzzy]

the bacteria will survive, as will many of the organisms and hitch hikers on them at those temps.

[TED]

i heard some of the fishes can also withstand ard 29C..but what will happen to the fishes n Lrocks if temp go above 30C?

[Mez]

How much reading have you done into it mate? Its not quite just as simple as chucking some rocks in! hehe
The live rock will be your main source of biological filtration. You should have a powerhead of appropriate size in the tank to ensure good circulation. What size is it? Unless we're talking about a dwarf fuzzy lionfish and a larger marroon clownfish, which i presume we're not, the clownfish will be eaten.
Yes, lionfish are venomous. they have venomous dorsal spines, here's what happens if youre dumb enough to let one jump into an eel tank, and not see it when youre trying to feed the eels...needless to say, the lion jumped for the frozen/thawed fish on the tweezers and grazed my index finger with one dorsal spike.

[oceanviper]

Hi bro....
Thanks for the head up on the lion fish....
In fact what you assume is correct, that was my plan.....
After reconsider it, hmm.... I wi;; stick to clown fish with others while dwarf lion fish will be in another tank.....

Cheers...