I dumped about 5 1/2 bags of Southdown into the 135g tank yesterday and started mixing a first batch of water in the sump (about 50g). I have cured LR with live sand sitting in a 50g rubbermaid waiting for the tank. After the first batch of water in the sump is at a proper temp and salinity, what steps should be taken to transfer the live sand and LR into the main tank? Can I use the water in the Rubbermain to add to the tank or should I dump it? Should the less porous LR be placed on top of the sand bed or dug into the sand?
The sand is in - now what?
- Thread starter jarhead
- Start date
I'm a little confused with your statement "first batch of water in the sump." Does the main tank (with the bags of southdown) already have SW in it? Unless the sump is huge, there's no way you're gonna fill up the tank with just water from the sump 
Place the rock on the sand, but just make sure it's secure. I don't like digging too much of it into the substrate because it restricts some of the motility of sandbed critters, although I don't think it makes a big difference either way. I wouldn't use the rock cycling water.
Place the rock on the sand, but just make sure it's secure. I don't like digging too much of it into the substrate because it restricts some of the motility of sandbed critters, although I don't think it makes a big difference either way. I wouldn't use the rock cycling water.
And one other thing, what about cycling that sand in a container with one of many possible items that facilitate bacterial colonization? I don't mean bacterial additives, Im talking food sources for bacteria beyond standard tank cycling and minute traces of ammonia. The article I read mentioned something sugary like apple juice or something added to the SW cycling the rocks.
Ever since I read that article co-authored by Shane (Liquid Admin) I remembered the usefulness of getting a good biofilm on your sand particles before you pack em into a large reef. The whole point was to prevent precipitants that may eventually bind your substrate into impenetrable blocks, but this is also affected by the forms of calcium/alkalinity you use. Many may say this is not necessary, but I have three friends right now with their huge DSBs hard as a brick and I have wondered if they should have used this form of cycling before setting up the permanent system. Liquid has all the details, I was just recalling his article.
Just an idea.
Brandon
Ever since I read that article co-authored by Shane (Liquid Admin) I remembered the usefulness of getting a good biofilm on your sand particles before you pack em into a large reef. The whole point was to prevent precipitants that may eventually bind your substrate into impenetrable blocks, but this is also affected by the forms of calcium/alkalinity you use. Many may say this is not necessary, but I have three friends right now with their huge DSBs hard as a brick and I have wondered if they should have used this form of cycling before setting up the permanent system. Liquid has all the details, I was just recalling his article.
Just an idea.
Brandon
No salt water in the tank yet. I know I am not going to fill the tank with the first batch of water (50g) - going to mix SW water 2 or 3 times.Len":pm39tnpp said:I'm a little confused with your statement "first batch of water in the sump." Does the main tank (with the bags of southdown) already have SW in it? Unless the sump is huge, there's no way you're gonna fill up the tank with just water from the sump
Place the rock on the sand, but just make sure it's secure. I don't like digging too much of it into the substrate because it restricts some of the motility of sandbed critters, although I don't think it makes a big difference either way. I wouldn't use the rock cycling water.
When I bought the LR, it was already cured. It has been sitting in my rubbermaid stock tank for 6 months already with all sorts of life in it.
If the sand is already in the tank, BE SURE NOT TO ADD FRESH WATER THEN MIX THE SALT. If you do this you will have problems with proper salinity deep in the sandbed since there will not be any circulation. If you add water to fresh southdown you will have a very cloudy tank for longer than you would like. I have seen several posts that indicate that "cycled sand" does not give the cloudiness that fresh sand does. I apparently has something to do with bacterial colonization of the sand particles.
To cycle the sand, place it in a tub of some type with saltwater, heater and powerhead. Add something that used to be alive like shrimp, squid, etc for several days till it smells bad. Remove the food and treat sand like curing LR. Stir the sand several times a day to accelerate the process. This can be done in your otherwise empty tank if you would like. Just be sure to test for ammonia, nitrates, etc before you start adding critters. Your existing LS can be added on top of (or mixed with) this cycled sand. Adding LS on top of the other may be desireable if it has critters in it that normally reside near the surface.
To cycle the sand, place it in a tub of some type with saltwater, heater and powerhead. Add something that used to be alive like shrimp, squid, etc for several days till it smells bad. Remove the food and treat sand like curing LR. Stir the sand several times a day to accelerate the process. This can be done in your otherwise empty tank if you would like. Just be sure to test for ammonia, nitrates, etc before you start adding critters. Your existing LS can be added on top of (or mixed with) this cycled sand. Adding LS on top of the other may be desireable if it has critters in it that normally reside near the surface.
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