Sand Before or After?????

fireman912 · 07/26/2008, 09:43 AM

Setting up my new tank and wanted everyones opinion on whether or not to put sand in the tank first or let the tank cycle and then put the sand in after it cycles.

Thanks

Tang Salad · 07/26/2008, 09:53 AM

Put it in first.

reefworm · 07/26/2008, 11:25 AM

agreed

Sk8r · 07/26/2008, 11:32 AM

Put live rock down first on eggcrate lighting grid: prevents rocks hitting glass bottom; then add washed!!!! "dry" aragonite sand. Place large garbage bag over all, start adding salt ro/di water mixed at 1.025 salinity. (1/2 cup per gallon of salt mix). Use ro/di only: this will slow down the algae bloom you will surely get. Garbage bag will float as water comes in, thus preventing sand from getting up into water. Some dust will remain even after washing. Expect cloudiness, which will clear as your sand coats itself in bacteria and 'settles'.
The whole process of cycling means to allow bacteria from your rock to establish in your sandbed, which thereafter should remain undisturbed. Do not use crushed coral for a sandbed.
HTH

fireman912 · 07/26/2008, 11:39 AM

thanks for the advice...filling her up as we speak

Dave VG · 07/26/2008, 05:57 PM

How about some pics

sherm71tank · 07/26/2008, 06:20 PM

You can always opt to NOT add any sand.

fireman912 · 07/26/2008, 10:44 PM

I will try and get some pics up for you tomorrow

07/26/2008, 09:43 AM	#1
fireman912 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 44	Sand Before or After????? Setting up my new tank and wanted everyones opinion on whether or not to put sand in the tank first or let the tank cycle and then put the sand in after it cycles. Thanks

07/26/2008, 09:53 AM	#2
Tang Salad Algae skeptic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 78702 Posts: 3,098	Put it in first. __________________ Your algae is not special. Current Tank Info: TBD ADA 120-P SPS NLPS

07/26/2008, 11:25 AM	#3
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	agreed __________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school

07/26/2008, 11:32 AM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Put live rock down first on eggcrate lighting grid: prevents rocks hitting glass bottom; then add washed!!!! "dry" aragonite sand. Place large garbage bag over all, start adding salt ro/di water mixed at 1.025 salinity. (1/2 cup per gallon of salt mix). Use ro/di only: this will slow down the algae bloom you will surely get. Garbage bag will float as water comes in, thus preventing sand from getting up into water. Some dust will remain even after washing. Expect cloudiness, which will clear as your sand coats itself in bacteria and 'settles'. The whole process of cycling means to allow bacteria from your rock to establish in your sandbed, which thereafter should remain undisturbed. Do not use crushed coral for a sandbed. HTH __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

07/26/2008, 05:57 PM	#6
Dave VG Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Northeast, Pa Posts: 3,129	How about some pics __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 40B Display, 40B sump/fuge

07/26/2008, 11:39 AM	#5
fireman912 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 44	thanks for the advice...filling her up as we speak

07/26/2008, 06:20 PM	#7
sherm71tank Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,670	You can always opt to NOT add any sand.

07/26/2008, 10:44 PM	#8
fireman912 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 44	I will try and get some pics up for you tomorrow