Whats the big deal about adding the water first?

as the title says, whats really the big reason for adding water to the new tank first and adding live rock and sand afterwards?
setting up a second nano cube tank... : )

 

to not stir things up as much is my reason

 

I will second that.

 

running the system with just plain water makes sure there are no leaks and to see if the system is working correctly. if it is then just add salt, if not empty the tank to fix the problem without wasting the salt, then add whatever you want.

 

In a nano it wouldn't make much difference (would still be easier having water in first imo)... but if you have a 125gal tank or anything in that size range, it just makes sense to put your water in and use the aquarium as a giant mixing bowl, instead of mixing up salt in seperate 5 or 10gal containers and then pumping it into the aquarium afterwards.

 

Whats the big deal about adding the water first?

And it gives the fish something to swim in..!!
Sorry I had to...

Good Luck Budd

 

I guess I like to be different.
I add Rock, sand, then water. I use a device to block the water as its landing.


Either way you do it, you are waiting 48 hours for everything to settle. I just cant see dumping sand into water, yikes, what a mess.