finally went out and bought a 55 gallon (hood & lights), stand and filstar xp2 and im rather excited. anyways i have a couple of question i set it all up, filters workin and such, now my question can i add sand with the water already in as long as i turn off the filter? there arent any fish in it yet cause i have to cycle it before. and im thinking of gettin silica sand, so could i just add that right in the water? also, im thinking abuot getting a lotta river rock cause i want a rift lake (malawi) tank so should i use eggcrate (light diffuser) underneath the sand for extra support?
fiiiiiiiiiiinallly!!! :):)!
- Thread starter brian_moons
- Start date
If you're planning on a lot of weight sitting on the bottom I would definitely go with the egg crate diffuser. Get the 1/2" or 5/8" thick if you can find it. The DIY stores around here only sell 1/4" thick sheets so I buy it at the electrical supply house where the electricians buy their material. I don't think the thinner type gives enough support. Have you considered sugar sand? It makes a nice malawian substrate. I love watching the yellow labs picking up mouthfuls and swimming off, vapor trails sifting from the gills.
rrkss said:
Agreed. I have found the best way to deal with substrate is to wash it so it doesnt cloud the water (bad experience with a particularly dusty bag of gravel once) then let it dry and move it where i want it, then add the water carefully so it doesnt completely destroy all the work I just did with the substrate...
heres a pic of it set up, im probably going to go with pool filter sand and some river rocks from the local landscapers
