do you prefere the water first? or the sand?

[king_neptune]

do you prefere the sand first or last when doing a new tank?
gonna go buy my materials for my stand today. finally!! this weekend I hope to begin adding my RO-DI water and prepping it for my LR later next week.
my question is what if I add the sand first...then pour the water in after...or should I do water first then sand?
Im thinking Ill do sand first...then put a plate at the bottom...and pouring the RO water directly into the tank..but having it break onto the plate first.
but i wanted to know what you all thought...and who does it differently.

 

[hyattdk2000]

I have done it both ways I think it is better to put water first...then you can just mix it in the tank wait 24 hours shut all equipment off then add the sand..
make sure you wash the sand well. good luck

 

[loopy101]

+1 done it both ways as well easier to put water in mix it then put the live rock in and then the sand to secure the rock a little.

 

[cranberry]

The tank I just set up I added the water after the sand. I pour the water either down a sheet of acrylic or put a dinner plate in the bottom for the water to hit. I find this method to cause a lot less sand debris. But for me it depends on the size of the tank.
When I set up the 100g I will add the sand afterwards because I will need to mix the water and salt inside the tank itself.

 

[pezenfuego]

Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3076481
The tank I just set up I added the water after the sand. I pour the water either down a sheet of acrylic or put a dinner plate in the bottom for the water to hit. I find this method to cause a lot less sand debris. But for me it depends on the size of the tank.
When I set up the 100g I will add the sand afterwards because I will need to mix the water and salt inside the tank itself.
+1, it depends on the tank. I like to add the sand, then put a sheet of saran wrap over it and pour on the water gently.

 

[meowzer]

I put a little bit of sw in first, then added the sand, then added the rest as stated above with a plastic bag, or bowl...

 

[king_neptune]

what was that about pre-rinsing sand...does anyone else pre-rinse their sand? if so... how?
oh and BTW its a 125DT with 120lbs of Oolite LS. I may add about 20lbs or so of Crushed coral sand as well...but at a later date, after I read more on the topic of mixing sands, and asking questions about it.

 

[cranberry]

If it's not the "live sand", definitely rinse it. I put some in an empty salt bucket, sit in the shower with the nozzle and aim it so it stirs it all up. The skum and sand dust just flows off the top. I just sit there and stir until the water runs perfectly clean.

 

[brokendeck]

Water first

 

[king_neptune]

Its all pure Ocean Direct Live sand. I payed $90 bucks for 120lbs, that cant be bea

^ So it sounds like I dont rinse it since Its live sand. Also its been sitting in the back on my porch for 5 months. It should still be ok correct?

 

[meowzer]

I think the packages have expiration dates on them...also if it is bad I think it will STINK

 

[mkroher]

will rinsing the sand with tap water cause an issue? should it be rinsed with ro/di water?