setting up my tank FINALLY.

[kettlecorn]

finally after 3 weeks of arduous studying, acquiring stuff, testing, ordering, cleaning, scrubbing, selling, buying ... I have made it to the stage where i setup my tank.
FINALLY!:thumbsup:

1) Is it live rock first and then live sand? Or live sand and then live rock?
i've seen youtube videos where they put down the LR and aquascape it and then put down a sand bed. Then some people say it causes wasting of rock so to put down sand and the live rock on top. Any opinions on this?

2) After i put down LR and LS and its all settled, do I leave the protein skimmer on? I will have put a new pack of purigen and chemipure elite in but i'm not sure if the protein skimmer is supposed to be running without any live stock.

[Tilmo2180]

1- The idea of putting the rock in first is to prevent settling, its resting on the bottom of the tank rather than on sand that can move over time.

2- I would leave the skimmer off until its mostly cleared and then run the skimmer. You will have die off on the rocks. I started skimming in my tank the day after I put rocks and sand in.

[jk1nole]

One of the bigger mistakes I feel I made of setting up my tank in November was putting down the sand and then aquascaping with rocks... I didn't know any better.

Although, something makes me leary of putting rock on bear glass. I guess the sand would fill in around it. But, maybe out a very light dusting of sand down, then rock, the the rest of the sand.

My gobies are making me regret my original choice.

[kettlecorn]

One of the bigger mistakes I feel I made of setting up my tank in November was putting down the sand and then aquascaping with rocks... I didn't know any better.

Although, something makes me leary of putting rock on bear glass. I guess the sand would fill in around it. But, maybe out a very light dusting of sand down, then rock, the the rest of the sand.

My gobies are making me regret my original choice.

Wait, can you explain why you regret it? I was just about to wait to put down sand first and then LR because of what ive been reading. Everyone says that sand goes first and then LR and i know some people that do it the other way around but not sure what the pros and cons are.

For me, it wouldn't be on bare glass as the red sea max has some like styrofoam thing as a base.

[Neonwombat]

My impression was that if you intend to get a sand sifter of any sorts such as nessarius snails, gobies, starfish etc. they will stir up the sand, and the rock stability will be compromised. There is a possibility that the rockwork will become unstable, and topple over. I have heard stories of large stacked rocks falling off their mounts, and either scratching the glass or in some cases breaking the glass. I believe that is why people suggest putting the rocks in first before the sand. Correct me if I am wrong though.

[kettlecorn]

My impression was that if you intend to get a sand sifter of any sorts such as nessarius snails, gobies, starfish etc. they will stir up the sand, and the rock stability will be compromised. There is a possibility that the rockwork will become unstable, and topple over. I have heard stories of large stacked rocks falling off their mounts, and either scratching the glass or in some cases breaking the glass. I believe that is why people suggest putting the rocks in first before the sand. Correct me if I am wrong though.

I believe i have read that too. That sounds similar to not preparing for an earthquake properly in the foundation of a building. If putting in sand first is only beneficial because it saves an inch of live rock, id rather be safe and put in the LR first.

[lcs]

Congratulations!! Now the fun can really begin! :D :dance:

Definately put the rock in first. I knew I would get (and did) a goby/shrimp pair and the shrimp would dig out a burrow or two for it and the fish. Boy, am I glad I did it that way!! They have completely dug out one of my rocks, front to back. I don't even want to think about what would have happened if the rock had been on the sand. :eek1:.

I wouldn't bother with the skimmer or any chemical filtration while you're cycling. Just get 'er going and test and wait . . .

[Reefer_Bill]

Congrats! I would suggest putting the rock down first, unless you will not have much if any live stock. It sounds like you will be adding live stock, though. You could always place something on the bottom to support the LR to sand level. Somehow mount / prop the LR off of the floor. Not sure how you would do this though.. Godd luck!

Bill

[kettlecorn]

Thanks for all the help! I got numerous live rock first answers and i def think that's the way to go so I will be doing that and hopefully avoid a huge possible catastrophe.

[steelhead77]

+1 on putting rock down first and the reason is as stated about the sand sifters. After watching my Goby go at it and see the excavation he is capable of, I'm thankful I put the rock down first.

Actually, what I did was to put base rock down first as a foundation for the live rock, then put down the sandbed, then the "live" rock on top of the base rock. Base rock is usually cheaper than live rock and since it gets covered in sand, it does not need to be "live".

It sounds like you're on the right track and are taking your time to get it right.

Good luck.

[Zappo]

You could always place something on the bottom to support the LR to sand level. Somehow mount / prop the LR off of the floor. Not sure how you would do this though..

I've seen people use eggcrate for this when the sand bed wasn't very deep.

[reeftanknewbie]

[QUOTE]I've seen people use eggcrate for this when the sand bed wasn't very deep.[QUOTE]

+1 for eggcrate. I have done that for years when I had a tank on and off again. Works well, no shifting of the rocks. this time I am doing some pillars (something different) and plan on using 1/2 pvc stands.