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.