Help me please.

[ScubaSteve]

Originally Posted by copenhagen_cowboy@live.co

How much substrate is needed for a 90 gallon tank? I was looking as some live sand in the pet store and they recommended 1 pound per gallon is this to much? what do I need to do as far as cycling the water?

1 pound per gallon is a decent rule of thumb though most people have their own feel for what they want. 1 lb/gal will give you approximately 1.5" to 2" of sand. Some people like more, some like less.

When first setting up your tank will do a mini cycle because of the sand. During this time feed lightly as you are lacking the ammonia and nitrite fixing bacteria. Feed lightly for a few weeks so that your system can rebuild itself.

Other than that, make sure you get a good handful of reef janitors (hermit crabs, snails, etc) to keep things clean and happy and to tackle a bit of the algae I see going on in that picture. Give that tank some love and it'll love ya right back.

[naesco]

If you got to 2.5 inches you will also have the benefit of more life in the sand which helps feed your fish and coral.

You can also keep some of the smaller wrasse that sleep in the sand overnight. Snails are good but almost all hermit crabs are carnivores and will eat all the life you are trying to nourish.