Tuchan, yes you can use this, but definetly make sure you clean it as well as possible.

Rocky

I agree it can be reused if it was not exposed to copper and if you rinse it very well. The sand should be rinsed several times in freshwater and then placed in a circulating system.

If the LR stinks right now in the tub outside that means it will need the time that you suggested for recovery. If it doesn't stink then you can probably put it directly in the tank because the bacteria survived and kept things going.

If it were my LR I would have never put it outside. I would have left it in the house in a tub. It's alive and likes warmth and circulation. But if that was unavoidable, I understand, The thing I would do now is bring the tub inside and let it warm gradually to room temperature. Place a power head in the tub if possible and in a few days, if it doesn't stink, place it in an existing tank.

Also, if you live near me, or want to bring it to me, I could place the LR in my system to recover and get seeded with life from my systems. I also trade LS for dead or dry sand.

This is the thread that may answer some of your questions.

http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 - http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244

Ok. Here is what I have. Dead sand and dead rock. I have power washed the d.r. with clean water and rerinsed. I have rinsed and rinsed the old sand. It looks to me that my step son might not have had enough rock in there. I weighed only about 25 pounds. My friend told me that I need about one pound per gallon. I think that I have a 70 gallon aquarium. So 70 pounds correct? Can I add 45 pounds of live rock that fast? Ok here are my questions.

1. How soon can I add live rock with my dead rock and how much, how fast?

2. How many inches of sand do I need. I am not sure what I have. It isn't crsshed coral. I would assume that at one time it was live sand but now dead. I read your thread..but how much live sand can I add with my old sand and how fast?

3. My ro system is for sure really slow. Should I just use good old hard water with my salt to start with? And then do my water changes and adds with ro?

4. Where can I get live rock, live sand, maybe some live water and some Macroalgae? Coral Frags. Then after a few days some, snails, hermits. Thanks for all of your help.

Ok Tuachan lets see if I can answer some of these for you, hopefully Mark or someone will speak up if I am wrong.

1. The sooner you add Live rock with your dead rock the sooner you dead rock becomes alive. The bacteria from your live rock will breed and spread to the dead stuff.

2. If you plan on using a DSB (deep sand bed), which I recomend, you need a minimum of 4".  If you don't currently have that much sand you can get some olitic sand from someone on this board. Oolitic is very fine sand and should be placed below the larger grain stuff. A good way to seed your tank (add bacteria) is to get some sand from an already well established tank. A good idea is to add this sand prior to putting water in the tank.

3. I would not recomend using hard water to start your tank, since your RO is slow I would suggest getting ro water from your local fish store (lfs). Some even have pre-mixed saltwater such as Aquatic Dreams in Ogden.

4. If you want to go the cheaper route, and who doesn't, you might look into getting some Utah rock (lake bonneville tulfa rock) and then purchase some live rock from a member of this board or a lfs. AD sells the stuff for $4 a lb. Also I suggest you talk to Mark or another member who can show you how to properly aquascape your tank. It is important to have good flow around and even under your rock. The best way to get live water, sand, and macro algae is from a member on this board. Just ask, most are more than willing to give you some for free. For coral frags take a few visits to a couple folks tanks, if your lucky you will find that person who hasn't fragged anything for a while who will hook you up for free. I don't suggest really buying any coral from any lfs before you get you tank truly up and running. Oh by the way it's going to take at least a month to get you tank trully stable, at least that is what I waited before adding any coral or fish. As for the janitor crew you will probably have to buy these from a lfs or an online store.

I hope this helps you out some, if you need any help just pm me, i'll try to steer you in the right direction. (sorry for the long post).

Rocky

Thats good to hear Carolyn, just remember to not add too many fish too fast and you should be good. And keep reading you always learn something new in this hobby.

Rocky