starting a 120 gal.

[3dees]

first fish are in my qt. 2 clowns and a royal gramma. ready to start my fowlr dt. quick question. I hate the thought of adding sand to 24 inches of water. I'm planning on filling the tank directly from my ro unit then adding salt. is it really a bad thing to put the sand down first? it will be only I inch deep.

 

[mr llimpid]

I don’t see a problem, water from the RO comes out slow. Is sand live sand or dry sand? Mixing salt in existing tank with sand, I would mix salt in a bucket first then add to tank. This way you won’t stirrup sand bed trying to mix salt.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 3dees http:///t/396470/starting-a-120-gal#post_3532598
first fish are in my qt. 2 clowns and a royal gramma. ready to start my fowlr dt. quick question. I hate the thought of adding sand to 24 inches of water. I'm planning on filling the tank directly from my ro unit then adding salt. is it really a bad thing to put the sand down first? it will be only I inch deep.

Mr. LLimpid is correct on what he said, I just wanted to add....When you add your live rock, be sure to push the sand to one side and put the rock on the very bottom glass of the tank...even an inch of sand will shift and topple rocks. It won't create a sand storm to push the sand around once it's settled in the bottom, as long as you do it gently.

 

[3dees]

thanks for the reply. I'm asking because some say that salt crystals will stick to the substrate and can give false readings on salinity. my tank is now about half full and I still haven't added the sand.

 

[bang guy]

My opinions are in this post ---> Bang Guy's Cycle Method

 

[mr llimpid]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 3dees http:///t/396470/starting-a-120-gal#post_3532638
thanks for the reply. I'm asking because some say that salt crystals will stick to the substrate and can give false readings on salinity. my tank is now about half full and I still haven't added the sand.
Adding sand with water in tank. If it is bagged live sand, add whole bag into tank at bottom of tank cut open bag then slowly pour sand out of bag. If you are using dry sand clean sand out side of tank then add sand in a container that you bring down to bottom of tank then pour out sand. This will keep the sand from producing a dust storm in tank, you will get some dust.