Quick Question

Greg129 · 02/23/2006, 07:02 PM

Should I turn off my protein skimmer and heater before I add the sand? My tank only has live rock and water right now.

santi · 02/23/2006, 07:11 PM

definitely turn off the skimmer, but the heater should be alright to leave on.

frags4u · 02/23/2006, 07:30 PM

skimmer needs to be turned off to protect skimmer pump from sand but will not hurt heater

Greg129 · 02/23/2006, 07:36 PM

Thanks. I have another question. I'm going have a 75% dry aragonite and 25% arag-alive sandbed. Which type of sand should I put in first and which should be the top layer?

torque66 · 02/24/2006, 02:58 PM

I could be wrong but I believe the important thing is to not combine sand of different granule size, otherwise it does not matter. But someone may correct me on this.

torque66 · 02/24/2006, 03:00 PM

btw, the arag alive is not really necessary. some good live rock will populate the sand bed.

ReefNewb77 · 02/24/2006, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Greg129
Thanks. I have another question. I'm going have a 75% dry aragonite and 25% arag-alive sandbed. Which type of sand should I put in first and which should be the top layer?

I am by no means an expert. I have been researching quite a bit on RC and a local forum. I have read that you should first put the dead sand on the bottom and then proceed to put the "live" sand (preferably from another reefer's tank) on top. Afterwards you should then use something to poke the live sand into the dead sand. I don't think its required to completely mix the two together.

Good luck with your tank. I hope to start mine soon.

02/23/2006, 07:02 PM	#1
Greg129 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 687	Quick Question Should I turn off my protein skimmer and heater before I add the sand? My tank only has live rock and water right now. __________________ 65 gallon Glass (36" x 18" x 24") -36" 2x96W Coralife Aqualight CF hood -Remora Pro Protein Skimmer -3x Maxijet 1200 Powerheads -2x False Perculas -1x Melanurus Wrasse -1x Coral Beauty Angelfish -1x Yellow Tang -1x Red Firefish -1x Purple Pin Cushion Urchin -1x Leather Coral

02/23/2006, 07:11 PM	#2
santi Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 169	definitely turn off the skimmer, but the heater should be alright to leave on. __________________ If you want God to laugh, make a plan.

02/23/2006, 07:36 PM	#4
Greg129 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 687	Thanks. I have another question. I'm going have a 75% dry aragonite and 25% arag-alive sandbed. Which type of sand should I put in first and which should be the top layer? __________________ 65 gallon Glass (36" x 18" x 24") -36" 2x96W Coralife Aqualight CF hood -Remora Pro Protein Skimmer -3x Maxijet 1200 Powerheads -2x False Perculas -1x Melanurus Wrasse -1x Coral Beauty Angelfish -1x Yellow Tang -1x Red Firefish -1x Purple Pin Cushion Urchin -1x Leather Coral

02/23/2006, 07:30 PM	#3
frags4u Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 111	skimmer needs to be turned off to protect skimmer pump from sand but will not hurt heater

02/24/2006, 02:58 PM	#5
torque66 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 51	I could be wrong but I believe the important thing is to not combine sand of different granule size, otherwise it does not matter. But someone may correct me on this.

02/24/2006, 03:00 PM	#6
torque66 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 51	btw, the arag alive is not really necessary. some good live rock will populate the sand bed.