Advice for initial GSP tank set up

[*GSP*Fan*]

Yet another question has came up...

I started rinsing my sand last night, hope to finish tonight as my daughter woke up during the washing last night.

I want to get the sand in the tank as soon as possible for more surface area for bacteria and all. I understand there will be some cloudiness no matter what but I have also read it is best to turn off powerheads and such to allow the sand to settle faster. If this is the case, will it cause any harm to do so since my live rock is already in the tank and it is cycling?

I do have a couple HOB filters that are not getting used. Would one be useful in clearing the tank after adding the sand or is it best to just leave it be?

Can't think of anymore questions about this part of the process at the moment but since I have not dealt with sand in an aquarium any advice would be helpful. Thanks!

[PufferMe!]

In my opinion, you should put sand in first, but with that not already done. Yes, you'll have lots of cloudy when you put the sand in, and will have to keep as much as possible from falling in the live rock. Once sand is settled, turn on your filters and your powerheads. I would guess within an hour your sand will be settled, but you'll have lots of cloudiness that the filter can take care of.

Gwen

[*GSP*Fan*]

In my opinion, you should put sand in first, but with that not already done. Yes, you'll have lots of cloudy when you put the sand in, and will have to keep as much as possible from falling in the live rock. Once sand is settled, turn on your filters and your powerheads. I would guess within an hour your sand will be settled, but you'll have lots of cloudiness that the filter can take care of.

Gwen

Thanks for the reply!

I did not add the sand first as I want the rock directly on the glass to hopefully prevent any incidents.

I placed the live rock directly in the tank as soon as I received it, had the tank half way filled and waiting, to prevent any more die off and start the cycling. Still have to finish cleaning the sand before it can be added. My base rock just arrived and I also have a few more pounds of live rock coming. I couldn't get it aquascaped last night but hope to tonight once I get off work. Guess a lot of how the different items are going in the tank is partially for stability/cycling reasons but also has been determined by when I've received the items along with when I have the free time.

I intend on lowering the water level some as I want to do a small water change to siphon out what debris I can that has fallen off my live rock (waiting to get a piece to hook up my siphon/vac to the faucet, should have it by the time I get home). I intend on adding the sand using a measuring cup or similar to place it where needed and hopefully not cause too much cloudiness. This should keep most sand off of the live rock I believe. I've been trying to research different methods to see what is best and those are my plans as of now.

I just am not sure how long it may take to settle and worry about having the powerheads off for too long because the live rock is in the tank.

I will hook up at least one filter, hopefully two, once I add the sand. Any type of media thats best for filtering for this purpose? I will have to get media of some sort before they will be of any use as I have none.

[Pufferpunk]

Sure, add your HOB with filter floss (cotton stuffing from a sewing machine store is cheap enough) & change out when clogged with sand dust.