new TANK... put rock or sand in first
- Thread starter mikegray
- Start date
dmitry
Member
Rocks first, sand second. This is a much safer and more steady foundation physically (rocks resting on glass won't topple over if some sand-burrowing creature crawls under sand since the sand is not under the rocks.) Also, rocks resting on sand might create dead areas as far as water circulation. So, just pour the sand around the rocks.
mudplayerx
Active Member
I'd put the sand in 1st as it will be a mess trying to pour it in with rocks already in the tank.
1: Put the water in
2: Put the sand in (I'd go with 3" of sand if I were you)
3: Put the 1st layer of rocks in
4: Scoop the sand out of the way/push the rocks down into the sand until the rocks are resting on the glass bottom
5: Scoop the sand back around the base of the 1st rock layer so that you have a nice, stable foundation
6: Stack the remaining rock as stable as possible on top of this bottom layer
ps- everyone here is correct. I'm sure that they just wanted to emphasize that the rock must rest on the glass bottom of the tank. However, I find it is easier to do this when the sand is in the tank 1st.
1: Put the water in
2: Put the sand in (I'd go with 3" of sand if I were you)
3: Put the 1st layer of rocks in
4: Scoop the sand out of the way/push the rocks down into the sand until the rocks are resting on the glass bottom
5: Scoop the sand back around the base of the 1st rock layer so that you have a nice, stable foundation
6: Stack the remaining rock as stable as possible on top of this bottom layer
ps- everyone here is correct. I'm sure that they just wanted to emphasize that the rock must rest on the glass bottom of the tank. However, I find it is easier to do this when the sand is in the tank 1st.
swfishonly
Member
I already have 75 gallon tank but im starting a 90 gallon i wanted to kno do i put the sand before the salt or after in my other tank i ahve cc and i put the cc first ? that tank is up and running already with fish
chipmaker
Active Member
Since your only usuing a 1 inch sand bed, that is not overly deep, so I would place sand first, and then push and twist rocks into the shallow sand bed . Odds are you won;t get any more settling of the rocks in such a shallow bed. NOw if your usuing 3 or 4 inches of sand, I would place base rocks first to the height of desired sandbed and then add the sand. Pretty hard to get sand under rocks when place first, so you stil have chances of voids under there.......I place sand, rock and then pour in water slowly spiling it down and over the rocks or into a clean saucer or plate to keep from stirring up a sandstorm, alllow it to settle out and then turn on pumps etc.......
seahorse11
Member
When is the water added? The guy at my LFS said to put the water in first then in about 3 days, add the LR and LS. He said if they were added first, some of the hitch hikers and good bacteria would die off before the water was established. Any opinions?
PS I am setting up a 125gal so i havent done anything yet.
PS I am setting up a 125gal so i havent done anything yet.
mikegray
Member
my water is already in and running.... and i have 60lbs sand right now cause im going to cycle it with this and get 40lbs of the live sand from this website.... thats more sand than i want.. but i hope it will make the sand healthy and full of critters.
and LR.. im getting premium fiji live rock.... its said to be more dense... i was planning on getting 220lbs of it (5 boxes of 45lbs) to create my reef look... but im hoping it will be enough... im thinking about getting 6 boxes and getting 270lbs but i dont want it to be soo much where my tank is Packed and doesnt look creative just rock stacked inside the tank and fuge... do u think 270 is too much?
and LR.. im getting premium fiji live rock.... its said to be more dense... i was planning on getting 220lbs of it (5 boxes of 45lbs) to create my reef look... but im hoping it will be enough... im thinking about getting 6 boxes and getting 270lbs but i dont want it to be soo much where my tank is Packed and doesnt look creative just rock stacked inside the tank and fuge... do u think 270 is too much?
seahorse11
Member
Mike,
So you added the water first, let that cycle, then added the sand, let that cycle, then added LR? Isnt it a pain in the butt to add the sand with all the water in it and after you add the LR,,,,,the water will be displaced so you end up taking out water? How long for the sand to settle?
I dont think a 270gallon tank is too much as long as you have the space and MONEY to set it up and maintain it.
So you added the water first, let that cycle, then added the sand, let that cycle, then added LR? Isnt it a pain in the butt to add the sand with all the water in it and after you add the LR,,,,,the water will be displaced so you end up taking out water? How long for the sand to settle?
I dont think a 270gallon tank is too much as long as you have the space and MONEY to set it up and maintain it.
murph
Active Member
Believe me for one reason or another down the line the rock will get moved around anyways.
Pre mix your water in separate containers. Containers that you can lift however. 5 to 7 gallons per container. Trust me on this.
Sand in tank. Place diner plate or something similar in bottom of tank and pore water in to tank over dinner plate (avoids sand storm) leave room for water displacement when you put your rock in.
Add rock and top up the water level. Your done.
Start your filtration system and begin waiting. Keep in mind that a watched pot never boils.
Pre mix your water in separate containers. Containers that you can lift however. 5 to 7 gallons per container. Trust me on this.
Sand in tank. Place diner plate or something similar in bottom of tank and pore water in to tank over dinner plate (avoids sand storm) leave room for water displacement when you put your rock in.
Add rock and top up the water level. Your done.
Start your filtration system and begin waiting. Keep in mind that a watched pot never boils.