Time for sand
- Thread starter Nakie31
- Start date
Dkuhlmann
New member
I would wait on the pods and chaeto until your tank is finished cycling. You would probably be OK to add now but IMO just best to wait.
You can put sand in your sump if you wish, some of us do, some don't. Also just buy the dry sand, no sense in wasting money on "live" sand. Once your cycle is finished your sand will become live. If you wish to speed up the process you can get a cup or so of live sand from a buddy or your LFS to add to your tank.
You can put sand in your sump if you wish, some of us do, some don't. Also just buy the dry sand, no sense in wasting money on "live" sand. Once your cycle is finished your sand will become live. If you wish to speed up the process you can get a cup or so of live sand from a buddy or your LFS to add to your tank.
WASH the sand. It may take a swimming pool worth of water---at least it seems like it. THis is best done in the back yard with a hose, and a small amount of sand at a time. Use Prime to remove chlorine from city water, and drain well. White powdery gunk does not belong in your tank. [Honestly, most of us add sand just after base rock, then live rock, but if you wash it really, really well, you can do this ok. Even so, expect some cloudiness until bacteria has had time to coat the remaining fine particulate.]
Animagus
In Memoriam
Did you use live rock or dead rock? If it's the former then you might want to hold off on adding the sand right now. Wait for your tank to cycle, but in the meantime keep blasting the rocks with a power head on a regular basis to remove any decaying organic matter. This will settle on the bottom and can easily be siphoned out. Once your tank has cycled, although I would wait a little longer, then go ahead and add the sand, chaeto & copepods to your tank. GL.
I'd skip adding sand to your sump btw. Keeping the sand in a DT clean can be hard enough sometimes.
I'd skip adding sand to your sump btw. Keeping the sand in a DT clean can be hard enough sometimes.
DrPheel
New member
+1 on washing the sand ! they are many good videos on YouTube explaining different methods on how to do so. You will be grateful in the long run , trust me .... and SK8r :wildone:
For me , I found washing a small amount at the time cut back on the washing time of doing a big load in a bucket. but I only had a 40 pound bag to wash so maybe some set and forget method will be better for you.
Happy reefing :beachbum:
For me , I found washing a small amount at the time cut back on the washing time of doing a big load in a bucket. but I only had a 40 pound bag to wash so maybe some set and forget method will be better for you.
Happy reefing :beachbum:
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