Sand before or after rock

[arawona1964]

Hi everyone

Iam in the process of finishing my reef cube it’s 90ltrs and 45cm square

Can I put an inch sand bed in first then put my scape on it or does rock go first

Not sure I would get much. Movement in. Such a small space or do I go bare bottom

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

Rock first always. Placing the rock first on the glass ensures stability.

 

[steveschuerger]

I’ve done it both ways, with the one time I sand first I was doing a tank transfer from my 60 into 90 . Still pushed the bottom rocks and wiggled them into place so as to not tumble. But most people do rock first.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I've always been a sand first guy, then just squish the rock down into the sand.

 

[twentyleagues]

Honestly you can do any of the three. I personally dont like bare bottom in reef tanks....
Just make sure the rock is on the glass to prevent accidental land slides due to fish or cuc burrowing into the sand under the rocks.

 

[Rob A]

Rock on the bottom if you want to put in a goby or something that burrows

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I did sand first, then rock. You will get answers from both sides

 

[UMALUM]

I've always done sand then water then rock after it has time to filter out and clear. I don't want any of that silt alive or dead near my rock. Think of the sand as grout for your tile. You can twist the rock into touching the glass.