Qn About Live rocks & Live sands

[seamonkee]

Irwana (Pasir Ris Farm) is selling live sand from Indonesia at a reasonable rate cheaper than coral sand (those 1 bag 10 kg)...

In opinion, what do you guys think of using this if I am going for a DSB? Victor of Irwana told me it is finer than Grade 0 Coral Sand...

Thought of using it so I can seed my DSB faster...

Also as for Live Rocks, what is the best method of removing crabs and other critters?

Some people say freshwater dip, while some people say put into a super salt concentrated solution.... which one is better? and how long do I dip to get the hitchhikers out and also to ensure there is minimal die offs?

Thks!

[pegasus1010]

live sand - fine. but run a magnet thru them 1st.

crabs - visual check, hypo treatment.

freshwater dip - 5 mins.

[shiraz]

for crabs in the LR, i blasted every nook and cranny with boiling water

no, i did not dip the whole rock in, just use a syringe and squirt the water in the hole, either a crab would be struggling out half cooked or a worm would be squirming out..

but u cannot use those normal syringes.. need the huge thick plastic ones if not cannot hold it wif u fill it with hot water...

[seamonkee]

for crabs in the LR, i blasted every nook and cranny with boiling water

no, i did not dip the whole rock in, just use a syringe and squirt the water in the hole, either a crab would be struggling out half cooked or a worm would be squirming out..

but u cannot use those normal syringes.. need the huge thick plastic ones if not cannot hold it wif u fill it with hot water...

Now that makes the hobby more fun yah!

[ryz]

Live sand from the sea = mainly silicon dioxide?

Coral sand we buy = mainly calcium carbonate?

If this is true then might have less buffering material in your tank.

correct me if I'm wrong.

[Rocky99]

how about using a fish net to sieve debris out also?