Aquascaping - Which should go in first, Sand or Live Rock

[Honeyman]

I am transferring my stock from a 30 to a 65 gallon. I am rinsing the sand completely before it goes in the tank to avoid future problems.

With aquascaping, am I better off to get the rock in place, and then fill in sand around it to avoid dead spots under the rock in the sand.

Or should I lay out the sand and not worry about the spaces under the rock?

 

[powdermonkey]

You want your rock resting on the bottom.

 

[saltfishguy18]

I would put the sand in first then put the rock in. When you put the rock on top of the sand just push it down into the sand a but to make it sturdy.

 

[NC2WA]

I put the sand in first, then lay the rock on top so it doesn't move.

 

[AQUAMAN21]

^ i'll second the choice of putting the sand in first cause i'm also planning on switching tanks. 150 to 125 gal hopefully nothing bad will happen during this transfer too.

 

[CKI]

Put rock in first! If you have a goby like me, with the rock on the sand the goby makes tunnels under it and lets just say i almost had a broken back panel to a rock fall

 

[3Twinklets]

Rock first definitely. You want to avoid any shifting of your reef later.

 

[KillerKlownFish]

Ok here's what I learned.
I was told to put the rock first then sand then water by a LFS.
Wrong!!!

Sand then rock then water?... Wrong again!!!

Put the base rock in then sand the base will be snug. Then add water. The water then helps when you add more rock (aquascaping) so it won't fall or slip and scratch or perhaps crack the tank.
Rocks move slow in water they tend to move very fast in an empty tank.

This to me makes the most sense.
I think everyone will agree

 

[JMSKI333]

Put egg crate down first, then rock, then sand and then water. Put a dish on the sand bed and pour the water onto the dish. That way it won't kick up the sand. The egg crate will keep the rocks from putting any uneven pressure on the glass. Not that you will have any problems anyways. It's just a cheap good idea.

I am not sure why people are saying put the rocks on the sand. You should not do that. Very unstable.

 

[nazzman]

Rock first I had a jaw fish that made a total cave, tunnel system in sand when I would look from underneath it was pretty cool I could picture a rock slide if rock went on top of sand

 

[rlman41299]

Put egg crate down first, then rock, then sand and then water. Put a dish on the sand bed and pour the water onto the dish. That way it won't kick up the sand. The egg crate will keep the rocks from putting any uneven pressure on the glass. Not that you will have any problems anyways. It's just a cheap good idea.

I am not sure why people are saying put the rocks on the sand. You should not do that. Very unstable.

This!!!!!

 

[edsbeaker]

I've always heard rock first so critters don't get under the rocks and cause an avalanche. The sand around the base rock will also help keep those rocks from shifting. I can't think of any pros to sand going down first.

 

[AQUAMAN21]

I've always heard rock first so critters don't get under the rocks and cause an avalanche. The sand around the base rock will also help keep those rocks from shifting. I can't think of any pros to sand going down first.

I've seen both way and done both, but i've never had any issue's with the rock on top of the sand also. Guess it's also based on a person's personal choice too

 

[evan.lundberg4]

Put egg crate down first, then rock, then sand and then water. Put a dish on the sand bed and pour the water onto the dish. That way it won't kick up the sand. The egg crate will keep the rocks from putting any uneven pressure on the glass. Not that you will have any problems anyways. It's just a cheap good idea.

I am not sure why people are saying put the rocks on the sand. You should not do that. Very unstable.

The egg crate is a very good idea! I used starboard to protect the bottom of my tank but it's BB. Either way definitely rock first. If possible I would even suggest securing your rocks together into one big mass so they can't come apart and fall later. It means you're stuck with your aquascape but if you're starting from scratch with a tank you can take the time to try out a bunch of designs before settling on one you like.

 

[NC2WA]

for the bigger rocks, I drilled and used zip ties.

 

[3dees]

when I set my tank up I filled with ro/di first. started the heater and powerheads. then added salt. next added sand but only about an inch. rocks were last. they are heavy and a little twisting will get them to the glass. if using small rocks, then add them before the sand.

 

[vlmuke]

I was wondering why you would rinse the sand as it has a lot of good bacteria in it? or are you just trying to get the detritus out? I would add the sand add about 1/2 a tank of water then add my rock, you can always move the sand out of the way if you fill the tank up you could end up overflowing the sump, when you add the rocks, you may even want to use the old water from the smaller tank, as you will have about 50% new water anyway.

 

[AQUAMAN21]

Agreed on the part if you fill the tank up with water your going to overflow the sump and/or tank. filling the tank 3/4 was the best way but i still feel putting the sand first then placing some rocks into the sand is a better way. it's last mess when your putting in the water. JMO

 

[Sacohen]

Rock goes first so that none of your sand sifting creatures will cause an avalanche when they moved the sand that the rock is resting on.

 

[Honeyman]

Vlmuke - I want to rinse the sand and I believe its loaded with detrius. It has fine and coarse material in it. I want to sift it and use only the fine sand. I bought it used before I knew any better believing I would be ahead of the game. My nitrates and phosphates are runinning a little high, and I think its the main source.