I'm working on setting up my first saltwater tank and I have a good understanding of everything except one thing. I'm buying cured live rock and Arag-Alive sand. I've read articles saying to add live rock first, then sand. I've also read articles that say to add sand, then the live rock. My question is, which is the best way to cycle a tank? Adding the live rock first and letting the tank cycle and then add the sand. Or reverse it with the sand going in first, or should I just add both at the same time? Thanks for any help.
Live Rock or Sand First?
- Thread starter pantz86
- Start date
The rock may be more stable if you place it first and then add sand around it. Otherwise, burrowing critters may dig out the supporting sand under pieces of LR causing a collapse of your structures.
As far as a sequence goes, I think you can add the two elements together. Many people add LR incrementally as they go, gradually building up the structure, keeping the above paragraph in mind. The tank will be ready for fish and corals when both the live rock and sand are cured and colonized with bacteria.
As far as a sequence goes, I think you can add the two elements together. Many people add LR incrementally as they go, gradually building up the structure, keeping the above paragraph in mind. The tank will be ready for fish and corals when both the live rock and sand are cured and colonized with bacteria.
I would only add the following;
Some that suggest curing the rock first because uncured live rock for the first week or so gives off A LOT of funky stuff.. This gunk can sink into and get mixed in the sand causing the cycle to last much longer as you won't be able to siphon out the debris.
If the rock is pre-cured I would add the sand first then put the rock right on top pushing it in good for stability. I've seen a couple tanks cracked from rock directly on the glass.
Some that suggest curing the rock first because uncured live rock for the first week or so gives off A LOT of funky stuff.. This gunk can sink into and get mixed in the sand causing the cycle to last much longer as you won't be able to siphon out the debris.
If the rock is pre-cured I would add the sand first then put the rock right on top pushing it in good for stability. I've seen a couple tanks cracked from rock directly on the glass.
Good point. Some people drill many 1/4 inch holes into short pieces of PVC for water circulation and set their LR on the PVC (on end.) It supports the LR off the tank bottom and avoids scratches.
atrain5851
In Memoriam
i myself built my live rock over a period of time on top of the sand... i would do it differently now by adding some base rock first then put sand around it and then put live rock ontop because of burrowing creatures and my friend just did it in his tank and looks way more natural.
