confusion??

[reef150]

Ok, I'm confused. I try not to ask a question before browsing other posts.

1. I ran across some post that says that Southdown sand should be rinsed. Then someone told me it shouldnt. Which is it?!

2. Now I hear southdown sand contains phosphate and others say its safe to use....help!

3. Southdown causes a mess once put in. I was thinking about putting the sand in first and then add the RO water starting with 1/4 of the tank. That way the sand wouldn't cause a mess and after that fill live sand and live rock.

thanks for looking!

[reef150]

~~ Bump

[reef150]

uuuuuu i had to do this for my 100th post!!! yahhhH!

[Mrs Smith]

You can rinse or not. I didn't - it takes too long.

Best solution for me: add sand. Run pre-mixed saltwater in very slowly. Like airline tubing slowly. Consider putting a plate on the sand for the water to fall on to diminish stirring up. Verrrry slowly, add saltwater. If you feel like aquascaping as the water is running it, go ahead, but don't disturb the sand if at all possible. If you do so, get a heater in there, and a couple of powerheads (not aimed at the sand!) once the level is high enough to permit.

It took a loong time to fill my 135 this way, but I aquascaped as I went (mostly by feel, as you will stir up some sand, and not be able to see much by the time you're done.) Still, by the next morning (which was actually only about 6 hours), the tank was pretty clear. Not crystal clear, but enough to see.

If this is a new tank, you wouldn't have to go to such lengths... I was just upgrading, and needed to put my livestock back in as soon as possible.

Good luck!
Danielle