Sand first? Or water?

[Mad wolf]

A friend of mine is starting a 55 gallon African Cichlid tank. He wants to use sand as the substrate. Is it best to put the sand in before the water or does it not matter?

 

[Etan]

It doesn't really matter but putting the sand in first will cause a lot less clouding. Just make sure after he puts the sand/water in to wait a bit for it all to settle before turning his filter on.

 

[Woefulrelic]

Having the sand in prior is ideal. If you add the sand after make sure to turn off any mech filters, so the impellers don't get shot by picking up sand. Removing the intakes from the tank is safer if you have a canister.

 

[xraycer]

I prefer water first then sand, but like other posters have already mentioned, filter off for a couple of hours

 

[KAWAMIKIE]

Rinse the sand before using. Put the sand in first then fill the tank.

 

[jeaninel]

Rinse the sand before using. Put the sand in first then fill the tank.

This

 

[Mad wolf]

Cool thanx. I've been keeping aquariums for years but I've never gone with sand. Kinda what I figured though, based on my experience with gravel.

 

[predatorkeeper87]

RINSE THE SAND FIRST. lol regardless which way you choose to do this it will cause a lot less aggrivation if you rinse the sand completely first.