First SW Tank Arrives Tomorrow but Stupid Questions Start Tonight

My Red Sea Max 250 will get here tomorrow. I am making the RO/DI water now (taking forever due to mediocre water pressure) and I have the substrate and rock ready to go. I have 60 lbs of aragonite, 15 lbs of cured live rock and a little over 50 lbs of base rock. I have a question about putting the rock in the aquarium. I have read several posts that said the rock should sit on the bottom of the aquarium and not on the sand, but I have watched videos of several "experts" putting the sand in and then placing the rock on top of it. Is this just a preference or is it bad to put the live rock on top of the sand? Also, should I heat the water to 78 degrees before putting the cured live rock in it? Thanks for any advice! The stupid questions should increase in frequency tomorrow.

 

what i did was put the sand in first, and when i put my first layer of rock in i kind of worked it into the sand until it touched glass. i would imagine you need to go easy doing it this way so you dont crack the glass on the bottom. it gives it a very stable base to work off of.

 

Heat... depends. On your cured live rock, Is it heated? Any rapid, large swings in temp, PH, or salinity can cause more die off.

I have seen some gobies that do some major excavation work in the sand. I would be scared to have a pile of rocks sitting on top of the sand.

When I first started, I put a thin layer of sand, placed the rocks, and settled them into the sandbed, then filled in with the rest of the sand.


You have better post some pics. I love the RSMax tanks.

 

Yes the rock is in a small tank at 77 degrees. I'll just add it to the tank last after I bring the temperature up and mix the salt. I planned on working the rock into the sand so it is nearly on the bottom of the tank and it sounds like that will work. I'll take pictures but it will be a while before they look nice.

 

you could use "egg crate" on the bottom before the substrate where you want to place your live rock and then there would be no worries- this would also help with live critters in the long run, but may also cause a problem if you dont keep the tank clean.

 

How exciting BigJim.

I know first hand that burrowing gobies and pistol shrimp can cause rockwork to shift. I think it is best placed either on egg crate or placed before the sand goes in.

Congradulations

 

Absolutely an exciting time for you – going to need lots of pictures !

I love the self-defined “experts” – rock on top of sand = highly possible flood and mess. The problem when rock is not firmly on the glass bottom (or on egg crate on glass bottom), is that the future sand shifters will eventually burrow and weaken the sand base and the rock loses its structural integrity and tumbles. Unfortunately there is an annual post on this forum which includes pictures of rock, sand and water on the livingroom floor. The culprit is rock placed on sand that later shifted and the rock tumbled into the glass pane and the rest you can well imagine.

I wish you luck on your new tank !!

Oh and never a stupid question – actually quite the opposite, It’s smart to ask and learn before you make a mistake ! hats off to you, and welcome to the forum.

 

Congrats on the tank. There is no such thing as a dumb question if you don't know the answer. Ask away we will point you in the right direction or give you options if needed.

 

Just don't forget to try a search on your question first. Most of my questions were answered ten times already. Welcome and good luck.

 

Don't forget pics.