Live rock/Live sand question.

[AquaNovice]

Well I am just about ready to set everything up, another question before I put it all together. I have a 24g aquapod (drilling for 10-15g sump/fuge). My question concerns the live rock and live sand(already have). I want to know which is the recommended order to put things in. Should I get the live rock(cured) put it directly on the glass bottom, then add sand?? I plan on a 3-4" deep sand bed. Or should I put in the sand, then set the LR on top of that?? I do plan on having a burrowing goby of some kind, and I know they can dig out under the rock, causing a problem.

[ChrisPrusha]

Originally Posted by AquaNovice

Should I get the live rock(cured) put it directly on the glass bottom, then add sand??

Yes.

Are you using existing sand from an established tank? I didn't think so, but I wanted to ask anyway.

Exciting time...I envy you!

[whatevva]

I would put the sand in. Then put in PVC standoffs for the Live Rock. This helps keep the sand from building up detrius (sp) and also helps maintain the rock formations when you get a critter that likes to dig.

[AquaNovice]

Originally Posted by whatevva

I would put the sand in. Then put in PVC standoffs for the Live Rock. This helps keep the sand from building up detrius (sp) and also helps maintain the rock formations when you get a critter that likes to dig.

That's a great idea, hadn't thought of that. Thanks. I want it to look like the rock is on the sand, so should I make the standoffs the same height as the sand level?? Since the rock will be on the standoffs a burrowing critter couldn't really knock it over. Maybe i'll just silicone a bunch in about 3-4" high, fill with sand to just over the tops of the standoffs, then I can place the rock wherever, and always be sure it's on a base. Is that an acceptable solution??

[AquaNovice]

Originally Posted by ChrisPrusha

Yes.

Are you using existing sand from an established tank? I didn't think so, but I wanted to ask anyway.

Exciting time...I envy you!

I will post a build thread with photos once I get started. The sand is aragalive by caribsea(I think).

[AquaNovice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatevva
I would put the sand in. Then put in PVC standoffs for the Live Rock. This helps keep the sand from building up detrius (sp) and also helps maintain the rock formations when you get a critter that likes to dig.

That's a great idea, hadn't thought of that. Thanks. I want it to look like the rock is on the sand, so should I make the standoffs the same height as the sand level?? Since the rock will be on the standoffs a burrowing critter couldn't really knock it over. Maybe i'll just silicone a bunch in about 3-4" high, fill with sand to just over the tops of the standoffs, then I can place the rock wherever, and always be sure it's on a base. Is that an acceptable solution??

Or could I just get base rock, put it directly onto the glass, add the sand, then add the Live rock on top of the base rock,any exposed base rock will become live rock eventually right??

[AquaNovice]

hate bumping my own thread, but looking for some ideas.

[Geoff]

you do not want to bury the LR. as the sand absorbes phosphates they will quickly be wicked up by the LR. this will lead to algae problems pretty quickly. it is better to suspend the LR above the sand if at all possible. the less touching the sand the better.

G~

[Hardhead Cat]

I had my LR buried in the sand until I joined TRT and found out I could make pvc stands. I tore up my tank and put all the LR on stands, it works much better, especially for water flow. I would put in the stands, the LR and then the sand......although the actual order of things might not be critical.

HHC

[YLChik]

al i know is if you want to be able to see ino the tank anytime soon rinse your sand... ask these guys first, I'm a newbie but after I added our sand it was days before the cloud cleared :0)