What would you do?

[kevin21]

Not really new to the hobby, but this is a new to the hobby type question so why not. I have a 28g reef which is great, but havent started a new tank in about 5 years now.

I have a 44g Hex that is going to be set up as a FOWLR. Might have the occasional softie or two in and thats about.

The tank is basically ready to be filled and started. I have powerheads, heaters, lighting, and sand. (Also all necessary testing equipment)

Now the question, Would you fill this tank with fresh RO/DI, add salt, and mix with powerheads? Then add sand and deal with the sandstorm?

Or

Add sand, put a black garbage bag over the sand, pour in RO/DI on the bag to help eliminate some of the storm, then add salt, and mix with powerheads.

After this is all complete, I will add LR to start my cycle.

Any other suggestions/choices/changes much appreciated!

Thanks everyone!

 

[kfisc]

I'd just deal with the sandstorm; I'm picturing the hassle of soaked garbage bags being removed and the sand being disturbed anyway in doing that.

Most of all, I wouldn't do sand- but that's part of the BB debate. Good luck!

 

[coralsnaked]

+1 sandstorm

 

[shesacharmer]

I'd mix the salt with the ro/di and add it last. No mixing salt in the tank for me.

 

[ryansc]

first place, arrange your rocks. fill tank 1/4-1/2 way. rinse off bags of sand. place one bag at a time in the tank. cut the bag open and let it gently spill out. once all sand is in slowly add in your already mixed salt water. give some time to settle start up your sump and start the cycle. Just how i do it. you'll be cycling for around 8 weeks. thats plenty of time for sand to settle. you just don't want your sump to start with the sand still suspended in the water. The fine particles can ruin the pump, or so i think. If the storm won't quite settle toss some socks on your return lines and filter it out while your sump runs.

 

[gone fishin]

Fill the tank about half way, put your sand in and spread it out. when you go to fill the rest, flip over a plate or saucer and pour the water over it. Either way it should settle down in a few hours as long as all the dust a crud was rinsed out of the sand. Good luck

 

[pyithar]

don't mix the salt in the tank with sand in there. since the tank is only 44G, mix salt and ro/di in a brute can or some container first. then add it to the tank where sand and rocks are all set up. pour the water onto the rocks so that sandbed won't be disturbed to reduce sandstorming.

 

[JerseyGuy]

I think the easiest thing would be to fill the tank 1/2 or 3/4 with RO, add the salt, let it mix for a day or two, rinse the sand really well, add the sand, let the water settle, add the LR, fill tank the rest of the way with pre-mixed (bucket mixed) water.

 

[Jritter02]

I just filled my 90g. I had my water mixed and ready to put into the tank. I did my rock work how I liked it. Then added the water. After I got the water in, I took a gallon jug (something with an open top...like you would out tea or kool aid in) and filled it with the sand. Then I slowly lowered it into the tank and let water fill the remaining area of the jug. Then I slowly lowered it to the bottom of the tank and poured the sand where I wanted it. As long as the sand is rinsed or doesn't have much dust in it it shouldn't by much of an issue. I had minimal cloudiness and the tank was perfectly clear within a few hours,

 

[reepher315]

Throw on a filter sock and start the sand storm. Better to have all that out than in. I still have times where fish dig up sand and theres dust everywhere and I rinsed my sand well.

 

[oceanlassiter]

I filled my tank up 1/4 full, added the rinsed sand, then added the rest of the RO/DI. added the salt once all my pumps were working. It was cloudy for a few days, but has cleared up nicely.

 

[ecniVince]

First do your rock work with a dry tank. then fill it with salt water. I personally recommend letting any Synthetic saltwater cure for a couple days. Especially since you're dumping it into a tank with live rock (cured rock I am assuming). Anytime I add sand to a tank, I do my rock work first with a dry tank, then I add 3/4 of my water. I take the bag of sand and I rinse outside of the bag off in the sink. I then put the whole bag in the tank. Take a razor blade and cut a slit in the seam at the very bottom of the bag. Nearest to the bags bottom. The sand will flow out and this will somewhat help on the "sandstorm". As the sand flows out, make your slit greater and greater to help the sand pour out.

Hope this helps,

V

 

[kevin21]

Thank you all so much for your responses. You guys are awesome. I believe I am going to mix the saltwater in a brute container. I will then add my rinsed sand to the tank and begin to do my rock work in the dry tank. Then add water.

Once again. Thanks!!!!