Sand question

In many cases i see including my lfs the dry and live(?) sand is the same price of $1 lb, so if I go with live for any benificial bact. that might be there could I cover the sand with 1" of my mixed water then build my scape how I want it with dry rock? Stacking the rock might take some time. This is a part where I have no experience so thanks to all

 

I wouldn't buy live sand, you are paying for water. Just get dry sand and get a cup or two of live sand from an established tank.

Put your water in first, then rock scape then add sand. After you rinse out the sand put it back in the bag. When you add the sand to the tank, carefully submerge the bag so water slowly fills the bag, then lower the bag to the bottom and slowly pour the sand in place. This will keep the cloudiness down greatly.

 

I disagree. I would place your base rocks first then add sand around them then stack the rest of the rocks then add water. If you put water in first the rocks are going to displace an unknown amount that you will have to take back out. It's also much easier to get the perfect rockscape when there is no water to look through and you are dry and comfortable. Above all just take your time with it and have fun.

 

I agree,
With sand under the rocks a sand sifter could make the rocks move and cause them to fall. Also if you do a little research you should have the rocks touching the bottom with no sand under them foe nutrient reasons. I am not sure how important that may be, but it is much easier to aquascape with no water.

 

there are merits in both methods, I have used both

in both cases - the one 2 in 10 described and the 1 Mike describes

the rock is beng placed on the tank base
2 in 10 suggested water 1st then rock, then sand
Mike suggest rock, then sand then water

I have just set up a 4ft tank and because the tank was in situ and empty, then for me, it was a perfect vessel for making the saltwater in
I filled it about 80% full, added salt and a couple of power heads
left it for 48 hours, and then went out, purchased 86lb of live rock and placed that into the tank ( because I wanted live rock, I did want tank full of water so the live rock could be added within 1 hour of me removing it from the dealers sump)

I then need to top off with a further 6 gallons of saltwater, which I made in a seperate bucket - and will add tomorrow

on other occasions with smaller set ups, I made the water in a seperate vessel, added dry rock and dry sand, and then added water

Steve

 

Its to easy rince the daylights out of your sand. Dump in the tank around the perimeter set your dry rock in. Move sand up around rock. Now you have a base add rest of rock. Add water, Place large bowl or plate in tank water hits above less direct sand contact. Sand storm goes away in a day or so and life goes on. No matter what every time you touch the sand when there is water in the tank it looks like the Flight of the Phoenix. Have fun it all works out in the end.