Sand Before or After?????

[fireman912]

Setting up my new tank and wanted everyones opinion on whether or not to put sand in the tank first or let the tank cycle and then put the sand in after it cycles.

Thanks

[Tang Salad]

Put it in first.

[reefworm]

agreed

[Sk8r]

Put live rock down first on eggcrate lighting grid: prevents rocks hitting glass bottom; then add washed!!!! "dry" aragonite sand. Place large garbage bag over all, start adding salt ro/di water mixed at 1.025 salinity. (1/2 cup per gallon of salt mix). Use ro/di only: this will slow down the algae bloom you will surely get. Garbage bag will float as water comes in, thus preventing sand from getting up into water. Some dust will remain even after washing. Expect cloudiness, which will clear as your sand coats itself in bacteria and 'settles'.
The whole process of cycling means to allow bacteria from your rock to establish in your sandbed, which thereafter should remain undisturbed. Do not use crushed coral for a sandbed.
HTH

[fireman912]

thanks for the advice...filling her up as we speak

[Dave VG]

How about some pics

[sherm71tank]

You can always opt to NOT add any sand.

[fireman912]

I will try and get some pics up for you tomorrow :)