Setting Up Brand New Tank

[thebbqguy]

Motorcity,

Thanks for the offer. I found one this morning.

[thebbqguy]

The pillow case strategy for washing sand worked very well. I ended up with 2 1/2" to 3" of sand in my tank, which was 100#. According to the calculator I used, 98# is desired so I should be able to check that one off the list.

I have been cleaning some rocks this afternoon. After a good brushing off outside they are now boiling on the stove top. Then I will let them sit for 24 hours to see if any oily film gathers on the top of the container. Maybe a week would be better, but I don't know if I have the patience for an entire week of waiting.

[mibwb]

I guess, I'm lazy....I just put some sand in a bucket. Put that in the kitchen sink or bath tub. Cover drain with a cloth and rise the sand with water from the faucet...swishing with my hand until water runs clear.  For stacked rock plies, I set them how I like them and use fish line to hold them in place or I siliconed them together. I learned this the hard way, by having a bamboo shark knocking down a pile on himself (when I had a saltwater tank)

[thebbqguy]

I got the sand in, the sponge filter in, rocks in, clay pots in, hood, lights, and heater staged; ready to add tomorrow.

When the sand settles down some more I'll add the Aquaclear 110.

[thebbqguy]

Here's a picture of what I've done so far. I installed the Aquaclear this evening. This is not the permanent place for the sponge filter. It's sitting there now because it won't sink on it's own just yet. I moved it when I put the larger filter in earlier and it started floating again. I haven't put the heater in yet, but that will be a "tomorrow night" project at this point. I plan to add a little more greenery. I need to figure out a different spot for the temperature probe too.

[kodyboy]

squeeze the filter underwater a few times to let out trapped air and it should sink. 
Where did you find a blue one?

[thebbqguy]

I got it at Fish Doctors in Ypsilanti. It's a Deep Blue Pro 50; the only brand they had.

[kodyboy]

Thanks

[dexternovice]

Looks great!

[Regalblue]

Looks pretty damn good, Brian.   Remember to stir that sand with it being deep like that.  (I use a 30" piece of 1/2" PVC )