Jakepen
Few beers and I'll frag anything...
Getting ready to cycle my 180, before I add the rock should I put some water in the tank? Thinking it could act as a cushion in case some of the rock falls while placing it.
Do I add water before rocks?
- Thread starter Jakepen
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It’s a good idea to add rocks first then sand and make sure to add sand and pack it down around the rocks to secure it more from sand sifting fishes.
After adding rocks add about 4-5 inch of water than live sand if you’re using. If you’re using dry sand then you can add that first with rocks and pour the water on a flat rock or top of your highest rocks and let the water run down without disturbing the bed sand.
I did this way and didn’t have a cloudy tank once my RO/DI filled the tank
It’s better to put rocks in first so you have a more clear view of how the rocks are going to be laid out instead waiting for cloudy water to go away to rearrange your rocks and not having to work in the water
revhtree
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If you have live rock of course the water first though! 
If dry rock, then 1. rock, 2. sand, 3. water.
Like Rev said, if it's live rock, 1. water 2. rock, 3. sand
Like Rev said, if it's live rock, 1. water 2. rock, 3. sand
mfinn
likes zoanthids
I usually do sand first, then water, then rock if it is live rock.
I don't like pouring sand through water.
I don't like pouring sand through water.
Big G
captain dunsel
You could use some of those kitchen silicone "hot pads" underneath any large or "pointy" rocks if your are concerned about damage to the bottom glass. Works great! Enjoy your build. Exciting!
cracker
5000 Club Member
I put water in 1st, After I "carefully " added the rock I measured the amount of water it displaced. It was a lot more work but I have a accurate idea of total water amount in the entire system. Also if You can, lift the rock off of the sand bed. I used short lengths of pvc . This way there is water can flow between rock & sand. No more spots for stuff to collect. It looked lousy at 1st but it's starting to get covered with life etc . it was a lot more work but imo worth it.
Good luck with your build jakepen . Consider sharing a pic with us when your done with the aquascape !
Good luck with your build jakepen . Consider sharing a pic with us when your done with the aquascape !
OP
OP
Jakepen
Few beers and I'll frag anything...
Dry rock, to answer everyone. Thank you guys for the info, a lot of great advice. I absolutely will post some pictures, probably going to do a build thread as well.
OP
OP
Jakepen
Few beers and I'll frag anything...
Didn’t think about this until the other day, but my light is already hanging over my tank. Only idea I have is to loop a heavy duty zip tie to the red and hook it to the blue, should give me enough clearance to get the rocks in. Have a few tall structures.
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[Cameron]
Active Member
The downside of this is that the sand could be stabilizing the rocks. This means a goby or similar could cause a tumble in an established tank. This is the main reason to do rocks before sand.
mfinn
likes zoanthids
I usually push the rocks down so they are stabilized, but one way or the other I always do sand before water.
U
User1
Guest
So the answer to the riddle is what sort of rocks. Dry cured Pukani for example doesn't matter who comes first compared to say, TBS rock, that has a metric ton of life, time is very important. The next bit is personal preference of rock on glass, rock on substrate, or my way which is middle ground. Rock rests on 3 - 4" PVC or ABS 2 to 3" pipes. That is what I'm doing now.
Semi-cured dry Pukani rock. Aquascape using 3 to 4" diameter ABS pipes cut to 2 - 3" height, rest rock work on them to desired aquascape. Then add substrate, then water. In my opinion (which I always hold the right to be incorrect, and usually am) I get best of both worlds. Protection of burrowing critters. Protection of the tanks bottom (glass), add substrate last (I'm using mostly CaribSea Florida but creating a river bed effect using CaribSea pink Fiji), then water. I also get a bit of elevation effect. I've been seriously thinking of adding a pair or trio of engineer gobies and this is the only way I think I can prevent them from causing issues...
Semi-cured dry Pukani rock. Aquascape using 3 to 4" diameter ABS pipes cut to 2 - 3" height, rest rock work on them to desired aquascape. Then add substrate, then water. In my opinion (which I always hold the right to be incorrect, and usually am) I get best of both worlds. Protection of burrowing critters. Protection of the tanks bottom (glass), add substrate last (I'm using mostly CaribSea Florida but creating a river bed effect using CaribSea pink Fiji), then water. I also get a bit of elevation effect. I've been seriously thinking of adding a pair or trio of engineer gobies and this is the only way I think I can prevent them from causing issues...
ifarmer
Valuable Member
I am sure you need to some clearance to get the rocks into the tank.Didn’t think about this until the other day, but my light is already hanging over my tank. Only idea I have is to loop a heavy duty zip tie to the red and hook it to the blue, should give me enough clearance to get the rocks in. Have a few tall structures.
Either move or adjust the light hanging string to give you some clearance.
