newbie starting out

[catshanon]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

The "live" part is simply the bacteria in the rock and sand, so yes, it's still alive. In a 14g tank, I'd add about 8-10 pounds of rock, depending on porosity. Do some small water changes to dilute any nutrients from th erock and sand, which is why you've got green stuff everywhere.

I will be transferring everything from the 14g to a 60g. I just added some dry sand in the 60G and will be putting my 50lbs of dead base rock in the 60G.

So, how should I go about transferring the sand from the 14G to the 60G ? just a simple transfer will do ?

Thanks in advance.

[schroeder]

Originally Posted by catshanon

So, how should I go about transferring the sand from the 14G to the 60G ? just a simple transfer will do ?

place the live sand in the new tank in 3 or 4 mounds. Do not just scatter it evenly in the 60g tank.

BTW. the 'centipede' like worm is probably a bristle worm... a beneficial detrivore. You should avoid touching it however as the sharp bristles can irritate, or may even be toxic.

[ALang]

If the snail/ crab is dead, you'll know it when you pick it up! Give it a sniff, cautiously, and if it is dead, it'll have this incredibly awful decomposition smell. If it smells like regular sea water, salty, then it is still good.

[kevNnic]

sounds like your on the right trail, but it is going to take forever to seed your base rock with only a pound of LR.

[catshanon]

Thanks to everyone for the comments, it sure helps to get assurance.

Originally Posted by kevNnic

sounds like your on the right trail, but it is going to take forever to seed your base rock with only a pound of LR.

If the sand is live, that should also seed the base rock, won't it ?

I will look for 3 or 4 more pounds of good purple rock once I have transferred the live sand to my main tank.

Thanks again for the help.