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

[vetteguy53081]

I would want a base (sand) first. If properly set, there will be No Avalanche effect.

 

[AQUAMAN21]

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.

Yeah thats true but if the person doesn't have any sand sifting animals, i won't worry about the rocks falling over.

 

[Sacohen]

They may not have any now, but who knows what they will get in the future.

Why risk it?

 

[Valgae]

Eggcrate, rock then sand.

 

[Mr.Wizard]

I make alot of my own live rock (oyster shells, concrete, and aragonite sand). I built a table rock with legs that is about 2 inches tall and put it in the aquarium first (after curing for a lengthy amount of time). Then put sand in to the height of the table rock and added water. Then added my live rock. There is a good amount of sand under the live table rock and I don't have to worry about cave ins. My sand bed is around 2 to 2 and a half inches deep. While making the table rock I also made a cave rock out using a rubber glove for the inside of the mold. Popped the glove after it dried to remove and cured it. Critters love it.

 

[mtnrunner]

IMO if you add sand first, then rock, you are going to be at risk for cave ins. Add your rock first.

 

[Reefing4eva]

Holy crap!we not building a space shuttle!common sense...put the rock first ...do your aquascape to your likings....epoxy the rocks to hold the aquascape in place....then sand....then water...I been in this hobby for 20 plus years and been thru it all..TRUST ME! You want reasons? If you put sand first then rock after like dually noted before sand dwelling fish,hermit crabs or snails will cause an avalanche.not fun cleaning up 100+ gallons of water and trying to find all your fish and coral just cause you didn't do things the right way.

 

[glb]

Rock first, then water. To add sand, open the bag, then hold it closed and gently lay the bag (underwater) on the bottom of the tank. Slowly pour the sand out of the bag into the tank, distributing it evenly. This is the best way I've found to keep rocks stable and prevent a mess. But it will only work if you can reach the bottom of your tank!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I agree !!! I also do like the egg crate suggestion as all concerns are eliminated!!

Holy crap!we not building a space shuttle!common sense...put the rock first ...do your aquascape to your likings....epoxy the rocks to hold the aquascape in place....then sand....then water...I been in this hobby for 20 plus years and been thru it all..TRUST ME! You want reasons? If you put sand first then rock after like dually noted before sand dwelling fish,hermit crabs or snails will cause an avalanche.not fun cleaning up 100+ gallons of water and trying to find all your fish and coral just cause you didn't do things the right way.

 

[AQUAMAN21]

Has anybody ever personal had any issue's with they're rocks falling over or having a fish/ marine creature injured ?

 

[myownlife]

I am in the same situation. I am transfering a 34g to a 60g and most of my rock has coral attached. My sandbed will only be about an inch deep. Do you still think I should do rock first then sand? or would it be best to add sand then some water and then rock?

 

[myownlife]

Bump

 

[AQUAMAN21]

I am in the same situation. I am transfering a 34g to a 60g and most of my rock has coral attached. My sandbed will only be about an inch deep. Do you still think I should do rock first then sand? or would it be best to add sand then some water and then rock?

MOST people have been saying rock first then sand and water. personally i've never had an issue with putting the sand in first, then rock. NOTE: i push the bottom layer of rocks into the sand a little bit so they won't move Then put the water in.

 

[StrictlyFish]

from personal experience you need to put the rock in first (preferably put egg crate down first) then sand. I have had a tank crack from creatures digging out sand. I've also had a few customers in the past that have had landslides due to this. Ive never once seen a landslide from putting in egg crate then rock first so its better safe than sorry.

 

[mrbee2828]

Rock first!

 

[scastillo813]

I recently just did this in my 120 build. I put the egg crate down first, then got my rock how I wanted it, and after that I filled in the sand around the rock and in the egg crating. All the rocks are stable and it looks great. After adding water everything is still in place perfectly.
I would definitely recommend doing the egg crate, rock, then sand approach.

 

[Martyd]

If you are doing a shallow sand bed, I would put the sand in first and then seat the rocks with a twisting motion to set them on the bottom of the tank. You get the best of both worlds that way; the rock will be on the bottom of the tank and the sand helps to stabilize them.

 

[ManOfSalt]

If you are doing a shallow sand bed, I would put the sand in first and then seat the rocks with a twisting motion to set them on the bottom of the tank. You get the best of both worlds that way; the rock will be on the bottom of the tank and the sand helps to stabilize them.

I just finished my aquascape with rock in first then sand and if I could do it again, I would go this route. I have a SSB in my 130 and with the dimensions of my tank it's not easy to manoeuvre around the rocks to distribute the sand evenly. I ended up having to just pour the sand straight from the top of the tank. For the most part it sorted itself out but then I had to stick a hose inside the return bulkhead to blow the sand off all the rocks. I would personally advise aquscaping in water though even when using plenum (egg crate?). It makes the process a bit more forgiving when dealing with heavy rock. It's not just the bottom you have to worry about there's the sides as well. I had a few big ones fall on me luckily with no cracks or breaks thanks to doing it in water.