live rock first or live sand

[chrisdaphish]

hi.. i was htinking of setting up a 20long reef... it is better to add live sand first or the live rock.. i remember hearing somehwere that it acutlaly might be good to put in the live rock first then pour in hte live sand after...

also is htat live argonite stuf okay? i see it at hte lfs and it hsoudl be alright right? i can add that stuff on instead of live sand right and it shoudl be just as helpful? also do i need ot wash the argonite befor ei put it in.. becuase i remember soemhwere that it was suggested that one wash the sand/argonite before putting it in so it isnt as dusty and will settle faster or osemihng?! not sure.. thanks for ur help

[tim_coville_]

i would poor in half your live sand first, position your live rock, then to firm up the base i would poor in the rest.

it will cover the bottom of your liverock to "hold it down" plus it looks naturally cuz it forms some hills going up to the liverock and etc.

that would be my suggestion.

on the sand, if your buying live sand, YOU DO NOT want to wash it out, it will get rid of all the good things in the snad.

also, buy argonite sand, its usually the best for beginners.

[FishinInTheDark]

If you're doing live rock, my PERSONAL opinion is that live sand is just redundant. Live rock will seed dry aragonite very quickly. You could use that money for livestock or other equipment down the road.

[Reefnut Shop]

A small trick to avoid having any kind of dust that needs settling if you add the sand first. Before you fill, lay down two layers of wax paper. Fill slowly and the paper disperses the water so that the substrate remains untouched. It also floats right to the top so when it is fool you can just fold it up and remove. You will get only minor clouding when you add the liverock later and when you turn the pumps on.

http://www.reefnut.com/Images/55g%20filling.jpg
(bowls not necessary)

Full
http://www.reefnut.com/Images/55g%20Full.jpg

These pictures show "dead", unrinsed, Southdown sand. I agree that if adding good liverock there is little need for "live" sand, especially if it is the bagged variety which only has unguaranteed amounts of bacteria.

[tim_coville_]

If you're doing live rock, my PERSONAL opinion is that live sand is just redundant. Live rock will seed dry aragonite very quickly. You could use that money for livestock or other equipment down the road.

Yep, that's what i did... i thought she purchased it already...

[chrisdaphish]

okay so then ig ues ill jstu skip the live sand.... the southdown sand that i hear about alot.. i dont htink we have it is there any other kind/brand of sand that is recommendable.. or if im jsut looking to buy sand what should i make sure isnt in the sand.. that might be easier.. but wut are some brands that u guys recommend

also would 30" 2x65W Coralife Aqualight CF hood, 2x 50/50 Act/10K be good enough fo ra twenty long? i read four to six is watts per gallon is sufficient enough for tanks under 24 inches in height...will this suffice?? i was told it will be okay for most corals... excpet acros...

thanks all your help is appreciated

[FishinInTheDark]

Southdown is only available in the South and East, as far as I know. I would advise against play sand of another brand, because it isn't kept sterile. They do things like spray it with oil to keep the dust down. There are those who say silica sand causes increased algae, but I have heard of many people who disagree. Dry aragonite from your LFS will give you the best results, IMO.

You would do fine with softies and some LPS under those lights. Start with the easier species like zoas, 'shrooms and leathers and work up from there as the tank matures.

[chrisdaphish]

what lighting do you guys run on ur 20 gallon tanks or tanks similar in size?